Prosecutor won't pursue battery charge against Trump aide

Image
AP West Palm Beach
Last Updated : Apr 15 2016 | 12:42 AM IST
Donald Trump's campaign manager will not be prosecuted on a misdemeanor battery charge after prosecutors determined there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of forcibly grabbing a female reporter, according to a court document filed today.
Police had last month charged Corey Lewandowski after determining that a videotape showed the New York City resident grabbed reporter Michelle Fields by the arm.
She worked for the conservative Breitbart News website at the time and was trying to ask Trump a question after a March 8 appearance. Fields later tweeted a photograph of her bruised forearm and said she had been yanked backward.
"Although there was probable cause to make an arrest, the evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is insufficient to support a criminal prosecution," according to a court document filed by state attorney Dave Aronberg.
Lewandowski had denied grabbing Fields and the Republican presidential candidate had stood by him, rejecting calls by his opponents to fire him. Instead he went after Fields, accusing her of exaggerating and changing her story.
At a Wisconsin campaign rally hours after Lewandowski was charged, Trump read Fields' account aloud: "Maybe he touched (her) a little bit, but I didn't see," Trump told the crowd.
"It was almost like he was trying to keep her off me, right?" Fields weighed in on Twitter: "My story never changed. Seriously, just stop lying."
She quit Breitbart shortly after the altercation, saying its editors didn't support her as they tried to maintain their relationship with Trump. Other Breitbart employees also quit.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 15 2016 | 12:42 AM IST

Next Story