Gun-toting movie goer in court

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A lawyer appeared in court Wednesday, but he wasn't on the job. He's accused of toting his gun into a New Haven movie theater.

The incident follows that movie massacre out in Colorado.

Given the timing of this incident, there was panic inside that New Haven movie house because of the previous tragedy.

It was a brief and uneventful appearance in front of a judge for attorney Sung Hwang Wednesday.

The New Haven attorney was arrested earlier this month, after bringing a gun to a late night showing of the new Batman flick, 'The Dark Knight Rises' at the Criterion Theater.

Outside of court, Hwang's attorney was asked about the charges.

"No, no grounds at all," said Hugh Keefe, defense attorney. "He's completely innocent."

Hwang faces two counts: breach of peace and interfering with officers.

He does have a permit for the gun and contends he was carrying it on the night of his arrest because he was concerned about his safety walking downtown after midnight.

However, on Wednesday Keefe saved his sharpest comments for outside the courthouse, directing them squarely at the city's top cop.

"Chief Esserman ought to spend more time going after people with guns without permits than going after people who do have permits," said Keefe.

And that was just for starters.

"Mr. Esserman should spend more time making those blocks safer in downtown New Haven instead of arresting innocent people," Keefe said.

The incident in the Criterion theater happened just days after the deadly mass shooting at a Batman premiere in Colorado.

Keefe says his client was arrested because he didn't put his hands up fast enough after being ordered to do so by police, a notion he dismisses.

"Come on, they were looking for an excuse to justify their conduct," said Keefe, "at that point you had 20 armed police officers with guns out of their holsters pointed at a guy who was not doing anything."

News 8 put in a call to Chief Esserman's office looking for a comment, but have heard nothing back yet.

Hwang's court case has been continued until September 5th.