The driver had demanded an "exorbitant" $300, refusing Jennings' "reasonable" offer of $160, Riccio said.

But Darien Detective Cmdr. Ronald Bussell said Jennings became enraged and shouted the slurs when the cabby insisted he pay the $203 fare they had agreed on. When Jennings refused, the hack drove to nearby Post Road to find a cop, Bussell said.

"As he's driving down there, the victim says, the passenger tries to stab him with a knife. He puts up his hands and gets stabbed in the hand," said Bussell, adding the driver got six stitches.

Jennings then fled from the cab.