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Aldrin Says He Was Defending Himself
By Associated Press
posted: 08:49 pm ET
11 September 2002
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Untitled BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Buzz Aldrin was defending himself when he swung at a man who asked him to swear on a Bible that he had been to the moon, the former astronaut's publicist said. "Buzz Aldrin was forced to protect himself and his stepdaughter when he was aggressively confronted outside a Beverly Hills hotel," publicist Robert O'Brien said in a prepared statement. Authorities were investigating a report by Bart Sibrel, 37, who said he was attacked by the former Apollo 11 astronaut on Monday at the Luxe Hotel. Aldrin, 72, had left the hotel when police arrived about 4:30 p.m. and was not interviewed, said police Lt. Joe Lombardi. Sibrel, of Nashville, Tenn., said he does not believe Aldrin or anyone else has ever walked on the moon. Describing himself as an investigative reporter, Sibrel told KABC-TV he was trying to confront Aldrin about his 1969 lunar mission when Aldrin swung at him. Aldrin had just finished an interview with a Japanese television production crew, and the confrontation was videotaped. Sibrel said he had confronted Aldrin twice before and was surprised that Aldrin reacted the way he did this third time. "I was very surprised that he hit me, I thought it was very foolish of him to do it in front of two video cameras," Sibrel said. "He has a good punch. It was quick too. I didn't see it coming." Aldrin's publicist said the videotape shows Sibrel blocking the way as Aldrin and his stepdaughter were leaving the hotel.
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