Given the problems at stake and Ms Cooper’s lack of criminal background, we have offered her an alternative solution to restorative justice, in line with our position in many crime cases involving a first arrest; intended not only to punish, but also to educate and promote the community. healing, ”assistant DA Joan Illuzzi said in court, according to a statement.
The Critical Therapy Center taught Cooper that “focused on the ways Ms. Cooper could see that racial identities shape our lives, but we cannot use them to harm ourselves or others,” Illuzzi said.
“After completing 5 sessions, Ms. Cooper’s therapist said it was a moving experience and Ms. Cooper had learned a lot during their sessions together,” she added.
Amy Cooper had been charged with falsely reporting a third-degree incident. Illuzzi decided to dismiss the charges and the judge allowed the motion, the statement said.
The charges stemmed from a May 25 confrontation in a wooded area of Central Park between Amy Cooper and Christian Cooper (no relation). Amid disagreements over her released dog, Amy Cooper called 911 and said in an increasingly hectic tone that a black man was threatening her, according to a video of the incident he filmed.
“I take a picture and call the police,” she says in a video of the incident. “I’m going to tell them there is an African American man threatening my life.”
An emergency center called her back and she repeated the charge, adding that the man “tried to attack her,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr.’s office.
“When responding agents arrived, Ms. Cooper admitted that the man had not ‘attempted to attack’ her or come into contact with her,” said a release from the prosecutor’s office.
Christian Cooper declined to cooperate
Commenting on CNN in May, she said she wanted to ‘publicly apologize to everyone.’
‘I am not a racist. I didn’t mean to harm that man in any way, ”she said.
Still, Illuzzi’s statement acknowledged that her accusation could have resulted in violence against Christian Cooper had the police reached him first.
The police would have been in a position where they believed Mr. Cooper had tried to attack the defendant. He would certainly have been detained and detained if he resisted, ”she said.
“Mr. Cooper did not want to participate in the criminal trial, but we found that the defendant’s offense was not only directed at one person, but posed a threat to the community if left unchecked,” she said. “The simple principle is that one cannot use the police to threaten another and in this case in a racially abusive and accused way.”
“We thank them for their integrity and agree with the outcome. Others rushed to the wrong conclusion based on insufficient research and they may still face legal ramifications,” he wrote.
Vance had indicated in an earlier statement that the district attorney’s office would try to find a legal solution with her.
“Our Office will seek to resolve this issue that will hold Ms. Cooper accountable while healing our community, restoring justice and preventing others from perpetuating this racist practice.”
CNN’s Kristina Sgueglia contributed to this report.