By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — An allegedly drunken tourist charged with attacking a cabbie, stealing his taxi, and smashing it into a Union Square lamppost went on an incoherent rant during his arraignment from a stretcher at Bellevue Hospital psych ward Wednesday.
Michael Findley, 31, was ordered held without bail and charged with robbery, assault and other offenses during the virtual arraignment from the hospital overseen by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Neil Ross.
Findley, who appeared on camera wearing light blue hospital scrubs and a scruffy beard, sat up in a hospital bed as he was arraigned. He launched into a rant, rejecting his lawyer, questioning the legality of the proceeding, and speaking Latin, as Judge Ross tried to calm him down via streaming video from his bench in Manhattan court.
"I'm flesh and blood and a living soul. I'm not a corporation," Findley said while sitting up in the stretcher, his Legal Aid lawyer at his side.
"Mr. Findley, sir, listen very carefully to me. It is not advisable for you to say anything right now," Ross said, urging the defendant to speak through his lawyer.
"I just fired her, she's not my attorney," Findley said.
Findley also tried to use Latin legal terms to explain that he wanted to represent himself and post a bail bond. He then asked about the legality of his court presentment.
"I just want to make sure you're operating within the scope of the law and within the time frame indicated in which to arraign someone," Findley said.
Police said Findley hailed a cab driven by Mohammed Latif, 49, at Delancey Street and Bowery at 3 a.m. on Feb. 27. Once inside the cab, he allegedly attacked the driver, then took control of the vehicle and drove it at up to 55 mph to Union Square, speeding through several red lights.
The judge ordered Findley be given a mental fitness exam. He is due back in court on Monday.
