Filed under: News
However, for Rohan Marley, the son of the legendary reggae artist, choking means he'll be pressing charges against the LAPD for unnecessary violence.
TMZ is reporting that Marley plans to press charges against an off-duty police officer who was working at the West Hollywood nightclub Voyeur on Saturday night for allegedly spraying mace in his face and putting him in a headlock.
A source claims Marley -- a former University of Miami linebacker who has five children with reclusive hip-hop and R&B superstar Lauryn Hill -- mistook someone outside the club for a valet. The patron was insulted, words were exchanged and a scuffle ensued, prompting the alleged incident with the officer.
Marley tells TMZ he was simply defending himself and feels the off-duty cop "went overboard."
"I can't just let this go," Marley says.
Well, he needs to try. If two grown intimidating men hyped off adrenaline are fighting outside of a nightclub, what exactly was the officer supposed to do? Politely tap him on the shoulder, and say, "Ummmm, excuse me, Mr. Marley? Would you mind stopping the violence, sir? I would really hate for someone to get hurt."
Maybe the chokehold was slightly excessive, and maybe not; I'm sure it depends on who you ask. After seeing the video, it looks to me that the officer acted in a reasonable manner and Mr. Marley's pride was probably hurt more than anything else.
So sorry, Rohan, but you get an L for this one, and probably not the kind that had you thinking you could fight in front of the club and not be restrained.