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A Manhattan assault case against a woman accused of punching a pro-life activist during a recorded street interview has been dismissed after prosecutors missed a critical filing deadline, according to the victim\u2019s attorneys.<\/p>\n
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The incident, which drew widespread attention online, involved Brianna Rivers, 30, of the Bronx, who was charged with second-degree assault in connection with the April confrontation. Rivers allegedly struck activist Savannah Craven Antao in the face while she was conducting an interview for the pro-life group Live Action in New York City.<\/p>\n
The case was thrown out in July when the Manhattan District Attorney\u2019s Office failed to turn over evidence on time, according to the Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based legal group representing Craven Antao. The organization said it intends to pursue a civil lawsuit against Rivers.<\/p>\n
The Thomas More Society said Craven Antao required stitches at a hospital following the incident, resulting in approximately $3,000 in medical expenses. The group also noted that Rivers left the scene afterward, raising both middle fingers as she walked away.<\/p>\n
\u201cDistrict Attorney Bragg\u2019s shocking refusal to uphold justice only works to undermine confidence in the system, especially when our political climate has become as fraught as it is now,\u201d said Christopher Ferrara, senior counsel at the legal organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cFailing to prosecute these clear-cut charges sets a dangerous standard for how our society responds to violence against those engaging in democratic dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesman from Bragg\u2019s office acknowledged his office dropped the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery victim deserves their day in court, and our office has reached out to apologize to Ms. Craven Antao for the unacceptable error of missing the discovery deadline,\u201d the spokesperson said, per\u00a0Fox News<\/a>. \u201cWe are taking immediate internal steps in light of this case.\u201d<\/p>\n Bragg\u2019s office said the filing deadline was missed after the case was reassigned to another prosecutor. The office added that Bragg has urged state lawmakers to revise New York\u2019s discovery law, pointing to dismissals like this one as examples of the statute\u2019s shortcomings.<\/p>\n Video recorded by Antao\u2019s husband shows the moment Rivers ended a conversation with Antao and struck her twice in the face. The footage captures Antao stumbling out of frame while Rivers walks away.<\/p>\n According to the Thomas More Society, Antao sustained cuts that required medical treatment following the incident.<\/p>\n