A homeless man who threw his skateboard into the windshield of an Uber driver who sped toward him in a darkened alley has been acquitted of all charges.
In a statement, San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi said jurors on Friday found Martin Knaak, 49, not guilty of vandalism and resisting arrest after a three day trial. Knaak faced up to a year in jail if convicted, said his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Eric Guttschuss.
Knaak’s initial arrest began shortly after 1 a.m. on Dec. 6, 2014, while walking along Moulton Street in the Marina District. A passing Uber driver in a Prius, apparently angry that Knaak had been jaywalking on a nearby street, motioned for him to walk in the crosswalk , then extended his middle finger, according to Adachi’s office.
Moments later, when Knaak crossed in front of the Prius at an intersection, the driver smiled and revved his motor. In response, Knaak spilled his soda onto the car. The Uber driver then chased Knaak, the public defender’s office said, at times traveling down the wrong side of a street and forcing him between two parked cars before following him on foot while videotaping him.
Knaak retreated down a narrow alley, which is when the Uber driver began speeding toward him, according to the public defender’s office. It was then that Knaak threw his skateboard into the oncoming car, smashing the Prius’ windshield, Guttschuss said.
Knaak called 911. The Uber driver told police when they arrived that he suffered an unprovoked attack, and officers arrested Knaak.
“Police made assumptions without ever hearing Mr. Knaak’s side of the story,” Guttschuss said in a statement. “He was the victim of a crime. He needed help.”
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The Uber driver also testified, claiming he did not pursue Knaak. However, the driver’s cell phone video contradicted his claims, according to the public defender.
Adachi said the case highlights the need to be unbiased when investigating crimes.
“As a crime victim, Mr. Knaak deserved every bit of the police response and protection that would have been afforded to a wealthy San Franciscan,” Adachi said. “What happened to him is a betrayal of justice. Fortunately, his public defender was able to end his nightmare.”
