Taxi union leader to be tried on assault charge

A Philadelphia judge today set Oct. 8 as the trial date for Ronald Blount, president of the 1,200-member Taxi Workers Alliance, on charges of assault.

Blount, 48, was present at the hearing before Common Pleas Court Judge Ramy Djerassi, but declined comment afterward.

Police allege that on March 6, 2008, Blount assaulted a 32-year-old female passenger who attempted to pay for her ride with a credit card instead of cash, pushing her against the side of the cab and choking her before forcing her back inside the cab.

Blount has denied attacking anyone.