New York, N.Y. – October 5, 2005 – Haitian recording artist Michel Martelly, popularly known as Sweet Mickey, has been charged with assaulting a New York promoter, Jean Dominique, during an incident at the Pre-Kanaval fest in Long Island last month. The altercation, which reportedly arose from a contract dispute, has led to legal actions, with Martelly currently awaiting a court date.
According to court documents and the promoter’s statement, the incident occurred on September 5, 2005, at the corner of Ditmas Avenue and 93rd Street in Brooklyn. Dominique alleges that Martelly struck him during a heated exchange over contractual agreements. Following the complaint, Martelly was summoned by the New York City Police Department and turned himself in at the 67th Precinct. He was briefly detained and subsequently released on his own recognizance without bail.
The Wall Street law firm Agbayewa & Roy, P.C. has been retained to defend Martelly against these charges. Emmanuel Roy, Martelly’s attorney and a former prosecutor with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, has vigorously denied the accusations, stating, “Mr. Jean Dominique’s false accusation against Mr. Martelly amounts to extortion. Mr. Martelly is innocent of these charges and will be exonerated.” Roy further emphasized that Martelly, a world-renowned artist, would not engage in physical altercations.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Martelly has returned to his family in South Florida and has opted to refrain from public comments about the case as advised by his legal team. He remains active in his music career and is scheduled to perform at SOB in New York City on October 14, 2005.
This case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the pressures and legal entanglements artists can face in their professional engagements. As the court date approaches, the music community and fans are keenly watching to see the outcome of this legal dispute, which could have implications for Martelly’s reputation and career.
