LAS VEGAS -- The
"Fossilman" wasn't going down without a fight.
With $150,000 in poker chips in hand, the reigning World Series of
Poker champ Greg "Fossilman" Raymer of Stonington, Conn., knew the
two robbers who approached him in the hallway of the Bellagio
resort weren't looking to chat.
"I knew it was
a bad idea to let two criminals shove you into the room," Raymer
said during a hearing Friday in Las Vegas. "I'm in fear for my
safety, my life, my money, everything."
Kevin R. Joy, 35, and Deem Cassim, 31, have been charged with
attempted robbery and conspiracy. After hearing Raymer testify, a
justice of the peace sent the case to District Court for
arraignment.
During Friday's hearing, Raymer said he was returning to his hotel
room about 2 a.m. on Dec. 20 of last year when Joy and Cassim
tried to force him into his room. Raymer used his 330 pounds to
fight back, screaming for help and swinging his arms wildly.
That's when Raymer says Cassim pulled out a gun, prompting the
poker champ to stop yelling before realizing the seriousness of
the situation.
"If I cooperated and went in my room, I thought, it was highly
likely I was going to be quietly killed, so I started yelling
again," Raymer said.
The poker champ also began flailing around. When it was over, Joy
was on the ground and Cassim was running for the door. Raymer
still had his chips.
Police later identified Joy and Cassim with the help of casino
surveillance tapes. The pair were arrested last month a gun show
at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Southern California.
Raymer won $5 million at the World Series of Poker in 2004 and
quit his job as a patent lawyer.
He testified Friday that he does not usually carry so many chips,
but was checking out of the hotel early the next morning.
