In a comment on my recent article "Case Update: A Distant End in Sight, or at Least a Middle", Mike asked, "What is all this about Eric Perkins? I have been following your saga, but do not recall reference to an alleged altercation with someone. Is he a motorist?" Here is the story.

On 03/30/2007, I was riding East on Route 9 in Hadley approaching the Amherst border. A pickup truck driver, who turned out to be Eric Perkins, the owner of Amherst Motel, began tailgating me and laying on the horn. When I got near Domino's, he moved into the passing lane, passed me, and turned into the Domino's driveway. I naively thought that I might confront him and calmly discuss the conflict, so I followed him into the driveway. He got out of the truck and began yelling at me, not giving me a chance to respond. Then he walked back toward his truck.

I was extremely frustrated at not being given the opportunity to respond, so I followed him to his truck, wheeling my bike along with me. As he entered the driver-side door, I stepped between him and the door to try to force him to continue the conversation. He grabbed me by the throat and threw me on the ground, on top of my bike. (He was much bigger than me.) Then he drove away.

I called the Hadley police, and a police officer, who I later identified as Adam Bartlett, arrived. I told him what had happened. Meanwhile, Eric Perkins returned in his truck. Adam Bartlett spoke to Eric Perkins out of my hearing range. He then told me that the attack was partially my fault and that he did not want to file a report. During this interchange, an Amherst police officer arrived, presumable in response to a complaint from Eric Perkins. Adam Bartlett told the Amherst police officer that he, Adam Bartlett, had the situation under control. The Amherst police officer left. Eric Perkins begged me to allow him to give me a ride, which I refused. Adam Bartlett left. I left on foot because my body had knocked my headset out of adjustment when I had fallen on it.

The incident was witnessed by a Domino's employee who apparently knew Eric Perkins.

From that experience, I learned that it was a bad idea to try to talk to agitated motorists, and I resolved not to do it any more. However, I do not feel that I did anything to justify Eric Perkins attacking me.

I later had another encounter with Adam Bartlett. He acted very inappropriately when I attempted to report being threatened by a school bus driver.

After my arraignment on 04/27/2010, my lawyer sent me the reports that Mitchell Kuc had submitted when he filed the charges. They included not only his reports from the three times he stopped me, but also reports from Adam Bartlett and the Amherst Police Department on my encounter with Eric Perkins. (I am told that this is not a regular practice.) Apparently, Eric Perkins visited the Amherst Police Department after our encounter and reported his version of the story, in which I grabbed his shirt and he did not grab my throat. (Note that my hands were occupied with holding my bike upright next to me at the time.)

In his report of the encounter on 03/20/2010, Mitchell Kuc stated that Adam Bartlett told him I had attacked Eric Perkins. I do not know whether Adam Bartlett actually claimed that I had attacked Eric Perkins, but Mitchell Kuc reported that he did, without any qualification that would make clear that Adam Bartlett had not witnessed the alleged attack, and that his alleged claim was controversial and unverified. Of course, this encounter is also irrelevant to the present charges. It is an attempt to prejudice the court against me by implying that I am prone to violence.