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RTA bus driver Artis Hughes was sentenced today for uppercutting an unruly passenger in 2012.

(Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A former RTA bus driver was sentenced today to three days in jail and fined $1,000 for punching a passenger on a bus last fall.

Shaker Heights Municipal Judge K.J. Montgomery viewed a videotape of driver Artis Hughes trying to deal with passenger Shi'dea Lane on a chaotic bus in Beachwood on Sept. 18. Hughes and Lane argued before Lane, 26, grabbed Hughes, 59, and spit on him, according to Hughes.

Montgomery said passengers became raucous during the confrontation, rather than trying to diffuse the situation. Instead of seeking help, they made videos and cheered.

"Watching these videos is a real commentary on humanitarianism in America. ... It's a pitiful state of affairs,'' the judge said.

Hughes, a 25-year veteran of RTA who has been fired, apologized to Lane, his family and Montgomery for what he did. He said Lane never stopped harassing him. He said he told her about paying her fare. When she didn't, she began spewing insults and profanities at him, Hughes told Montgomery. The confrontation continued until Lane threatened to spit on Hughes.

"I said, 'No, you won't. I'm old school, and that's the worse thing that can happen,' '' Hughes told the judge. Moments later, he said, Lane grabbed him and spit on him. He later punched her.

Hughes' attorney, Michael Maloney, admitted Hughes overreacted. But he said Hughes' actions were not a knee-jerk reaction to a few words. Hughes has been fired.

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"She simply would not stop,'' Maloney said. He said his client never had an issue with anger management in the past, and he was never in trouble. Hughes has since begun taking anger-management courses.

Prosecutor Tom Greve said Hughes had options. He could have stopped the bus, got off and called police, allowing law enforcement officers to deal with the situation.

"The punch was excessive, unwarranted and inappropriate,'' Greve said after the hearing. "She never saw it coming.''

Hughes pleaded no contest to an assault charge April 2, and Montgomery found him guilty. The judge Tuesday also ordered Hughes to serve three years of probation. She originally sentenced him to 90 days in jail but suspended 87 days.

Lane pleaded no contest June 4 to a charge of disorderly conduct, and the judge also entered a finding of guilty. Lane will be sentenced July 30.

Last month, Lane's attorney, Dale Friedland, said Hughes started the altercation by calling Lane names when she didn't immediately pull out money. She stood up for herself after being a victim of domestic violence in the past and receiving counseling to speak up, he said.

After her plea, Lane said, "I could have handled it better, but I was standing up for myself.''