Ludwig Kaiser defense granted evidence access in Florida battery case

A Florida judge has denied a motion to dismiss a battery case involving WWE wrestler Ludwig Kaiser, known professionally as Marcel Barthel. Following the denial, the State of Florida provided Kaiser’s defense team with supplemental discovery, including four photographs documenting injuries allegedly sustained by Richard Reap. The images depict Reap’s right elbow, two head injuries, and a right-side injury.

The incident occurred in April at an Orlando apartment complex elevator. Reap alleges Kaiser attacked him after a dispute regarding manners, while Kaiser maintains he pushed Reap in self-defense after Reap allegedly made a racist remark and approached him aggressively. Kaiser’s previous attempt to have the case dismissed under Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law was unsuccessful.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for December 17, with a potential trial window set for January 4 through January 22, 2027, if no plea agreement is reached.