Upon a fight in Darien
March 3, 2012 10:36 AM   Subscribe

The Cabbie v. the Morgan Stanley Executive "Those of you who have any degree of contact with the financial blogosphere no doubt caught the news today that one William Bryan Jennings, the co-head of fixed income for the Americas for Morgan Stanley, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, theft of services and intimidation by bias or bigotry and released on bail of $9,500. He has been put on leave." [Via].
posted by marienbad (57 comments total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
William Bryan Jennings

I had always liked his "Cross Gold of" speech.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:40 AM on March 3, 2012 [55 favorites]


And yet, no Morgan Stanley executives have been arrested and prosecuted for financial crimes. Screw someone out of a cab fare, you're a petty criminal. Screw the whole world, you're a god.
posted by charlie don't surf at 10:45 AM on March 3, 2012 [26 favorites]


Are we allowed to start eating them yet?
posted by R. Schlock at 10:49 AM on March 3, 2012 [27 favorites]


In conclusion: next time, probably just pay the 300 bucks, don't stab anyone. Valuable life lessons for us all.
posted by tracert at 10:49 AM on March 3, 2012 [3 favorites]


Here's a link to news stories as opposed to a OpEd blog.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:49 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


He drew a knife, allegedly, when the cabbie drove off at high speed (due to an arguement over the $200 - $300 fare) taking his passenger captive.
posted by zippy at 10:49 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


But your honor, my client is living on fixed income.
posted by hal9k at 10:50 AM on March 3, 2012 [8 favorites]


The ride should have been free, I mean lowering yourself to ride in a cab? I wouldn't be caught dead doing that.
posted by narcoleptic at 10:52 AM on March 3, 2012 [2 favorites]


Mr. Carlisle said in 1878 that this was a struggle between the idle holders of idle capital and the struggling masses who produce the wealth and pay the taxes of the country; and my friends, it is simply a question that we shall decide upon which side shall the Democratic Party fight. Upon the side of the idle holders of idle capital, or upon the side of the struggling masses?
--William Jennings Bryan.

So it wasn't just the name that was inverted.
posted by empath at 10:52 AM on March 3, 2012 [17 favorites]


when the cabbie drove off at high speed (due to an arguement over the $200 - $300 fare) taking his passenger captive.

...also very much allegedly.

We don't know what happened here, although the fact that the cabbie called the cops that night, whereas it took Jennings two weeks to bother, does not speak well of Jennings.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:54 AM on March 3, 2012 [11 favorites]


there should be "allegedy"s before the banker's claims in my comment, too
posted by zippy at 10:54 AM on March 3, 2012


He drew a knife, allegedly, when the cabbie drove off at high speed (due to an arguement over the $200 - $300 fare) taking his passenger captive.
posted by zippy at 10:49 AM on March 3 [+] [!]


Yea that bullshit didn't happen. It kills me anyone would think this is even remotely possible given the undisputed facts.
posted by basicchannel at 10:56 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Can you imagine how much of an asshole you have to be when you're a rich white guy before the Darien police take the side of a New York cabbie who's an emigre from the Middle East over yours?

I mean, the Darien police are notoriously in the pocket of the town's wealthy citizens. The fact that this guy got arrested at all does not speak well for his chances at trial.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:00 AM on March 3, 2012 [13 favorites]


Also, the idea that someone was driving recklessly at top speed in Darien and didn't get pulled over is ludicrous. It is speed trap central out there. Dudebro should have hired an actual criminal lawyer instead of the guy who drew up his estate plan.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:02 AM on March 3, 2012


Jennings later admitted to cops that “he’d been drinking throughout the day”

I think this says a lot.
posted by tom_r at 11:03 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Wouldn't a guy this rich (and working for a finance company) have access to a car service?

Also, I've taken cabs from lower Manhattan to Queens and they usually run about $20 or so, so doing the math, this guys fee was not at all out of line. This Jennings guys some kind of psycho.
posted by jonmc at 11:04 AM on March 3, 2012


This will be interesting once we can take the word *alleges* out of every sentence.

I AM curious, however, how this guy that is young enough to be my son, looks like one of those people at my class reunion I laugh at 'cuz they look so old. Banking must take it's toll, perhaps that's the karma we can all rest with in the long run!
posted by HuronBob at 11:04 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Not having lived in NYC for a long time, I cannot remember all the in & outs of cab life. However, the site TaxiFareFinder lists the trip as costing 102.65 (from far downtown Manhattan to Darian, CT). I just used broad terms to get the pick and destination points.

Where does the discrepancy of that extra $200 come from?
Is that TFF number even in the ball park of reasonable estimates?
posted by lampshade at 11:08 AM on March 3, 2012


I mean, the Darien police are notoriously in the pocket of the town's wealthy citizens

That's the problem actually. Stabbing a cabbie is so . . . gauche.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 11:08 AM on March 3, 2012 [6 favorites]


Dudebro should have hired an actual criminal lawyer instead of the guy who drew up his estate plan.

I have a feeling that Jennings may be the sort of client against whom his own lawyer struggles in vain.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:08 AM on March 3, 2012 [4 favorites]


All they have to do to show the kidnap business is a lie is subpoena his cell phone GPS records.
posted by jamjam at 11:09 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Screw someone out of a cab fare, you're a petty criminal. Screw the whole world, you're a god.

Gods have always been allowed to screw the whole world. Coming down from Mt.Olympus/Asgard/etc. to directly mess with a Mortal was always considered bad style. Besides, his job title only placed him as a Demigod.
posted by oneswellfoop at 11:20 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Driving out of state is a negotiated rate-
Trips Beyond the City
For a trip beyond the limits of New York City, except Westchester or Nassau Counties, or Newark Airport, the fare shall be a flat rate (a flat rate is a definite amount fixed between the driver and the passenger at the start of the trip). This flat rate shall be negotiated prior to the trip and entered into the meter via the technology enhancements or TPEP system (when available) using Rate Code 5.

posted by bhnyc at 11:21 AM on March 3, 2012 [2 favorites]


Why is this banker carrying a knife in the first place, regardless of whether or not the cabbie kidnapped him? Do people in New York's financial sector normally go about armed?

As to whether or not the cabbie kidnapped him, surely that is up to the court.
posted by lucien_reeve at 11:30 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


IANAL, so if anyone has read this (and possibly some of the news reports in Tell Me No Lies post) would like to comment on which side's story seems the most believable in terms of coherence and cogency. I found the NC peice didn't really help me in this regard.

On Preview - "Do people in New York's financial sector normally go about armed?" Armed with financial weapons of mass destruction maybe.
posted by marienbad at 11:33 AM on March 3, 2012


Actually, having checked the article, I see that the banker's lawyer is claiming that it was a pen knife that his client uses for fishing.

For some reason, this whole incident made me think of this book and also this book. It would be interesting to see how this pans out.
posted by lucien_reeve at 11:37 AM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Dudebro should have hired an actual criminal lawyer instead of the guy who drew up his estate plan.
And risk associating with a non-HLS grad? Ridiculous!
posted by 1adam12 at 11:48 AM on March 3, 2012


Where does the discrepancy of that extra $200 come from?

The agreed price was $204, or about double the TaxiFareFinder amount, probably because there aren't many Darien to Manhattan fares for the cabbie to take back at that time of night. The negotiated amount covered returning, I guess.
posted by fatbird at 11:56 AM on March 3, 2012 [3 favorites]


Those Morgan Stanley guys really put the douche in fiduciary.
posted by vitabellosi at 12:15 PM on March 3, 2012 [16 favorites]


...a pen knife that his client uses for fishing.

Riiiiiight. I imagine he and the rest of the fellas head on down to the old fishing hole at lunch most days.
posted by BlueHorse at 12:31 PM on March 3, 2012 [2 favorites]


This sounds a lot like the plot for a great novel and a mediocre film.
posted by Skeptic at 12:40 PM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


In addition to what Fatbird said, NYC cabs also make you responsible for tolls, and the toll on the Triboro/RFK is $6.50, so add that in.
posted by mephron at 12:56 PM on March 3, 2012


Cocaine's a hell of a drug.
posted by dazed_one at 12:57 PM on March 3, 2012 [4 favorites]


However, the site TaxiFareFinder lists the trip as costing 102.65 (from far downtown Manhattan to Darian, CT).

I don't trust a site that doesn't know that most out-of-city, and almost all out-of-stat cab fares are negotiated before the trip -- and furthermore, if it was metered, most of the trip would be metered at double-rate.

I do, however, find it wryly amusing that they felt the need to add this...

"Walking is free & takes about 16 hours, 49 minutes."
posted by eriko at 1:21 PM on March 3, 2012 [2 favorites]


HACK HACKS HACK!
posted by Ron Thanagar at 1:24 PM on March 3, 2012


Stabbing a cabbie is so . . . gauche.

Hey!
posted by gauche at 1:33 PM on March 3, 2012 [11 favorites]


For some reason, this whole incident made me think of this book and also this book. It would be interesting to see how this pans out.
Not this one?
I AM curious, however, how this guy that is young enough to be my son, looks like one of those people at my class reunion I laugh at 'cuz they look so old. Banking must take it's toll, perhaps that's the karma we can all rest with in the long run!
A google image search for this guy is hilarious. Most of the pictures are of William Jennings Bryan, and when you see pictures of both of them together they actually look really similar.
He drew a knife, allegedly, when the cabbie drove off at high speed (due to an arguement over the $200 - $300 fare) taking his passenger captive.
That's what his lawyer says. You should read the whole text of the linked article. Really, stabbing someone over $100 is isn't normal behavior in any circumstance, especially if you're a goddamn billionare (or whatever). Pay the fair and then call the cops if you really think you're being ripped off.

Keep in mind the cab driver called the police immediately after the altercation, while the stabber didn't even come forward for a couple weeks.
posted by delmoi at 1:35 PM on March 3, 2012


To be fair, I carry a Swiss Army Knife, even though my chosen profession is not one fraught with threats to my person.

Though, also to be fair, I haven't ever tried to stab anyone with it.
posted by BrashTech at 1:45 PM on March 3, 2012


Though, also to be fair, I haven't ever tried to stab anyone with it.

Has the Swiss Army?
posted by zippy at 1:57 PM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


A google image search for this guy is hilarious.

Wow! You're not kidding! They have the same "I'm not sure but I think something I ate is disagreeing with me" scowl!
posted by spicynuts at 2:12 PM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Stabbing a cabbie is so . . . gauche.
Hey!
posted by gauche at 1:33 PM on March 3 [+] [!]


Oh sure, like you've never stabbed a cabbie.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:37 PM on March 3, 2012 [6 favorites]


and a mediocre film.

Mediocre? That movie was a crime in itself.
posted by octobersurprise at 2:42 PM on March 3, 2012


Has the Swiss Army?

Only some cheese.
posted by jonmc at 3:15 PM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


bhnyc, fatbird, mephron, eriko...thanks for the clarification(s)
posted by lampshade at 3:19 PM on March 3, 2012


Sounds like a story of two bad tempered people mishearing each other due to tiredness/drunkenness, shouting, slurring and different accents.
Cabby asks for 204, banker hears it as 294.
Banker (who would have paid 204) counter offers 160, cabby hears him offer 60.
Each accuses the other or trying to cheat them.
Cabby speeds off with banker inside (bad idea).
Banker starts waving a pen knife around drunkenly (bad idea).
Amazing it didn't turn out worse really.
posted by w0mbat at 3:19 PM on March 3, 2012


It's been mentioned that NO ONE knows what the facts are except the individuals who are involved. Maybe it's worth pointing out that we shouldn't make idle speculation about what did occur, considering it's a cab-said-he-said situation. How many here have lived in NY for a substantial period of time? I can't imagine one can say yes to that question if you haven't encountered at least ONE asshole banker and at least ONE asshole cabby. I've had at least two friends who have been assaulted by cab drivers. In one instance the cabbie was revoked his license after a court proceeding at which the victim-passenger testified at and who, were it not for her law school education, would never have been in the position to bring the complaint. It's interesting how this story is essentially a blank canvass for projection of the class perceptions of the reader. Does this make sense?
posted by gagglezoomer at 6:02 PM on March 3, 2012 [4 favorites]


almost all out-of-stat cab fares are negotiated before the trip

I think it's all except EWR, in practice.
posted by gagglezoomer at 6:23 PM on March 3, 2012


Maybe it's worth pointing out that we shouldn't make idle speculation about what did occur [...]

Does this make sense?


Not really, no. Idle speculation is fun.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:33 PM on March 3, 2012


[...]
posted by gagglezoomer at 8:11 PM on March 3, 2012


To be fair, I carry a Swiss Army Knife, even though my chosen profession is not one fraught with threats to my person.

I've used mine on some pretty vicious cardboard boxes and to slice some very dangerous cheddar once.

I'd be real curious to see if the knife that was supposedly used. I'll bet you a dollar that instead of having a can opener, tweezers and a plastic toothpick in the handle it's more Rambo-esque.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 9:28 PM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Perhaps it was a Swiss Banker Knife? Tools: privacy guard, tax dodger, money launderer ...
posted by zippy at 10:34 PM on March 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


>Though, also to be fair, I haven't ever tried to stab anyone with it.

Has the Swiss Army?


OJ's murder weapon was a Swiss Army knife with a serrated lock-blade. It's a very versatile knife.
posted by charlie don't surf at 10:37 PM on March 3, 2012


Are the rich less moral?

Piff, et al.  Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior.  Proc. Nat. Acad. Sciences, 26 Jan 2012.

"Seven studies using experimental and naturalistic methods reveal that upper-class individuals behave more unethically than lower-class individuals. ..."
posted by jeffburdges at 7:37 AM on March 4, 2012


This all happened after he left the 1% tip for the waiter.
posted by horsemuth at 4:58 PM on March 4, 2012


You know where the Swiss keep their armies?

In their sleevies!
posted by blueberry at 7:41 PM on March 4, 2012


it's a cab-said-he-said situation. [...] It's interesting how this story is essentially a blank canvass for projection of the class perceptions of the reader.

It's interesting how your version of fair and balanced completely dehumanizes the driver. I do agree with you though, that speculation about the available facts makes the banker look like a criminal.
posted by OmieWise at 5:14 AM on March 5, 2012


Jennings may be on the receiving end of long overdue pushback against the rich being given slack when they don’t deserve it.

Good.
posted by lordrunningclam at 5:44 AM on March 5, 2012


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