Damon “Super Mario” Torres (Steven Hirsch)
UNMASKED MEN: Philip “Spidey” Williams (left) and Damon “Super Mario” Torres in Manhattan Criminal Court yesterday. (
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These Times Square mascots are starting to feel right at home in Manhattan Criminal Court.
A “Spider-Man” accused of slugging a mom who refused to tip him after he posed for photos with her kids balked yesterday at copping a plea deal over the alleged assault, prompting a joke from the judge.
“The defendant is not leaping into action, no pun intended,” quipped Judge Steven Statsinger, referring to Philip Williams’ refusal to take anger-management courses to avoid trial.
Williams, 35, had allegedly clocked a 44-year-old female tourist in the back of the head in December when she refused to tip him.
Williams claims the woman started the fight by tossing a snowball at him after he demanded a tip.
Williams also faces charges for a pot bust in March, but rejected a plea offer in that case.
Under the terms of the deal, he would have had to do either three days community service or 15 days in jail.
The Williamsburg resident left his superhero costume at home yesterday, appearing instead in a black polo shirt and khaki shorts and keeping mum during the proceeding.
His lawyer declined to comment afterward.
Williams is due back in court Sept. 15.
Meanwhile, a “Super Mario” — a k a Damon Torres — showed up in a courtroom down the hall expecting to begin trial for allegedly groping a 58-year-old grandmother in December while in costume.
Dressed yesterday in a button-down white shirt, Torres, 34, said nothing as the judge announced there were no trial courts available and postponed his case until Sept. 9.
His lawyer declined to comment after the hearing.
Both men have been released on their own recognizance.
In addition to Williams and Torres, at least two other pesky characters have been recently busted on various raps.
They include a Cookie Monster who allegedly pushed a 2-year-old boy in his stroller after the toddler’s mom wouldn’t give him a tip in April, and an anti-Semitic Elmo who screamed offensive comments at tourists in September.