Atlantic City's Batman is speaking out.
Curtis Bordley — the city's own Caped Crusade — was arrested Sunday, on charges of aggravated assault and weapons offenses for allegedly possessing and deploying pepper spray.
Bordley, 34, claims the man — identified in court papers only as D.M. — spit on him, and he reacted.
"Mr. Bordley was assaulted and attacked first," his attorney, Durann Neil, told BreakingAC. "He acted only in self-defense and attempted to avoid any conflict. We are confident that charges will soon be issued against the true aggressor, as Mr. Bordley is innocent."
Bordley told BreakingAC early Thursday that he fell off his bike "next to an aggressive out-of-towner who yelled, 'That's what you get, b-----!' and spit in my mouth while I was lying on the ground trying to get back up from the fall off of my bike."
"I thought it was vile," he continued. "He could've had a disease or anything."
Bordley said he usually maintains his composure, and has self-control.
"I've shown it for almost a decade out of the 540 life-and-death encounters I've been in," he said. "I never cross the line."
Bordley's impact on residents and visitors was evidence as many rallied around him on social media, sharing photos and stories of interactions with him over the years.
"It must also be said that Mr. Bordley has brought joy to thousands of people who live in and visit Atlantic City," his attorney said. "And he will continue to bring smiles to all who know him."
Many have called for the calling for the alleged spitter — identified in charges only as D.M. — to be charged.
That will happen, Bordley's attorney said.
Neil said he is gathering information on the man, and expects to file something Friday.
Bordley was charged on a summons and released pending an appearance in Atlantic County Superior Court in Mays Landing set for 11 a.m. Sept. 24.
He does not have anything in his criminal history, according to court records. He had two citations last summer for sleeping in a public place.
