Charges for misdemeanors were dropped on Tuesday against Amy Cooper, the so-called “Central Park Karen,” who falsely accused a black bird watcher of “threatening her.”
He had faced up to a year in prison on a single charge of falsely reporting a third-degree incident.
A judge accepted Manhattan prosecutors’ request to drop Cooper’s case after she completed five therapy sessions “designed for introspection and progress,” District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said in a statement. brief virtual view.
“She was sent to the Center for Critical Therapy … which provided psychoeducation and therapy services that focused on the ways Ms. Cooper was able to appreciate that racial identities shape our lives, but we can’t do them. serve to hurt ourselves or others, ”Illuzzi-Orbon said in Manhattan. Court of Criminal Justice Anne Swern. “Psychoeducation on racial equality is woven into every therapy session to promote understanding and reflection.”
When asked if she wanted to be heard, Cooper, dressed in a black collar, said to the judge, “No, your honor.” His lawyer also declined to speak, saying he agreed with the prosecutors’ assessment.
Swern dismissed and sealed his case.
Cooper was charged with the camera incident in May, which showed her calling 911 with black bird watcher Christian Cooper after she asked him to put a leash on the dog.
In the hysterical call, he falsely claimed to police that Christian “was threatening my life.”
Illuzzi-Orbon said Tuesday that the fun program he completed with Manhattan Justice Opportunities was a punishment that was “consistent” with other misdemeanor cases.
“Madam. Cooper’s therapist reported that it was a moving experience and that Mrs. Cooper learned a lot in her sessions together,” the prosecutor said during the hearing.
Christian Cooper refused to cooperate in the prosecution, saying he “has already paid a heavy price” after global outrage over the incident.