After Arrest, Hoboken Resident Files Countercharges Against Local Blogger

Hoboken resident Lane Bajardi, who was arrested after allegedly assaulting a local blogger at a public Board of Education debate last week, filed counter charges today.

A superior court judge downgraded the initial robbery complaint—robbery is a felony—to a Disorderly Person Offense, according to Lieutenant Detective Mark Competello. The entire case has been referred to the Hoboken Municipal Court for adjudication, Competello said.  

Today, Bajardi, 39, filed simple assault and harassment counter charges against Roman Brice, who operates a local blog named Mile Square View. 

In today's counter complaint, Bajardi alleges that "he has been harassed by Mr. Brice since October of 2009," according to the police report. The report further states: "Mr. Bajardi said that specifically, his integrity, credibility and family have been called into question by Mr. Brice and that as a result, has caused him annoyance and cause for alarm. He also said that the initial incident was a culmination of this harassment."

At the Brice, who was covering the debate for his blog, took Bajardi's picture. When Bajardi noticed this, he got up from his seat and walked over to Brice, who was standing on the steps next to the wall of the Stevens Institute of Technology auditorium where the debate was being held. 

Bajardi asked Brice if he "wanted to play games," to which Brice answered: "Sure I want to play chess," according to the police report of Brice's complaint. 

Bajardi then grabbed the camera from Brice's hands.

Brice retrieved his camera, hostile words were exchanged between the two and Bajardi walked back to his seat. Brice continued to take photos of the debate. 

Bajardi alleges that Brice, 46, struck him with two hands in the chest and pushed him, according to police reports.

Brice, according to the police report that was filed last week, alleges that Bajardi was the one who struck him with two hands in the chest. 

According to the police report that was filed today, Brice pushed Bajardi, causing him to lose his balance, fall back into the auditorium seat and sustain injury to his hip. The incident between the two men, however, took place on the low, ascending steps against the wall of the auditorium. Bajardi walked back to his seat afterward. 

Neither one of the men fell to the ground. 

No further police investigation is planned on this matter, said Competello, and the case will have to be resolved in Hoboken Municipal Court. 

Editor's Note: This reporter was present at the Board of Education Debate and saw the incident happen. This account of the incident is first hand, and does not come from police reports, unless attributed as such.