A lawyer from Florida faces charges after allegedly knocking out an elderly passenger on a cruise ship in Norway, according to officials.
Philip Ortiz, 38, a married father of two, reportedly assaulted a 67-year-old man on board the Norwegian Cruise Line’s Encore. This incident occurred when the victim told Ortiz not to go through a closed hallway.
The Miami Lakes attorney reacted by saying, “Who the hell are you to tell me what I can and can’t do?” before pushing the victim, as noted in the arrest report.
According to police, the victim then pushed Ortiz and his wife, which seemed to escalate the situation. In the ensuing struggle, Ortiz allegedly tripped the elderly man, causing him to fall and hit his head, which resulted in him losing consciousness.
Witnesses reported that the victim had no pulse, prompting them to perform CPR until cruise ship nurses and security arrived. The man eventually regained consciousness and was transported to the University of Miami Hospital.
Security footage from the ship corroborated the accounts provided by the victims and witnesses. As a result, Ortiz was arrested Saturday on charges of aggravated assault against someone 65 or older.
During his court appearance, Ortiz pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Stefan Lopez, shifted the blame onto the victim, asserting that he was intoxicated and had interfered with Ortiz’s family emergency.
Lopez mentioned, “So-called elderly people are bigger and stronger than my client,” suggesting that the victim had initiated the confrontation by assaulting Ortiz’s wife and blocking their access to their children.
Ortiz was released on bail on Monday, with a stipulation to remain away from the victim.
