Alleged stun gun user's son is radio host
New York City radio show host Charlamagne Tha God came to the defense of his father, who was arrested Sunday night for allegedly using a stun gun in an altercation with fans during the Jets' season opener against Dallas at MetLife Stadium.
Charlamagne Tha God, a co-host on Power 105.1-FM's "The Breakfast Club," said he was happy his father, a Cowboys fan, was able to defend himself against angry Jets fans and instead blamed stadium security for the breach and Jets coach Rex Ryan for creating a "hostile environment" in the days leading up to the game.
Ryan said last week that "it's probably not recommended'' for fans to "wear Cowboys stuff'' to the game. He later said he didn't mean that to be interpreted as a threat to Cowboys fans.
The Jets refused to comment Tuesday.
Leroy McKelvey, 59, of Moncks Corner, S.C., was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault and two weapons counts. He was released from Bergen County jail Monday after his son posted the $22,500 bond.
It is against state law for anyone, even police officers, to possess a stun gun, said Sgt. Julian Castellanos of the New Jersey State Police. Tasers, which can be used from a distance, also fall under the New Jersey stun- gun statute.
MetLife Stadium president and CEO Mark Lamping had said in a statement Monday that McKelvey was carrying "an illegal Taser the size of a small cellphone in his pocket."
Castellanos, however, could not confirm whether the electroshock weapon was in fact a Taser.
Charlamagne said on the radio Tuesday that the altercation was caused by a Marine who did not allow his father to pass through the aisle to go to the restroom.
According to reports, the Marine was angered that McKelvey did not stand during the national anthem, but the radio personality said his father was raised as a Jehovah's Witness so "that's his religious right."
"He's from Moncks Corner, S.C., so keeping pepper spray on your keychain or a pocketknife or a Taser on your hip isn't a big deal," Charlamagne said on his radio show. "That's what country folk do. He didn't think nothing of it and obviously, neither did security at MetLife Stadium who did the pat-down because they let him in with it."
