A New York Metropolis Council member accused of biting a police officer throughout a protest had her prison case dismissed after she accomplished a “restorative justice process,” the Brooklyn district legal professional’s workplace mentioned Tuesday.
The Democratic council member, Susan Zhuang, had been charged with felony assault and numerous misdemeanors and violations over the encounter final 12 months, which allegedly occurred throughout a chaotic protest over the development of a brand new homeless shelter in her Brooklyn district.
Based on a court docket criticism, Zhuang bit a deputy police chief’s forearm and resisted being handcuffed after being instructed to cease pushing barricades towards officers. Zhuang later mentioned police used extreme pressure as she was making an attempt to assist a lady who was mendacity on the bottom underneath a barricade.
A spokesperson for Brooklyn District Lawyer Eric Gonzalez mentioned the case in opposition to Zhuang was dismissed “through a restorative justice process that created space for dialogue, accountability, and healing.”
“It was based on the wishes of the victim and the defendant’s willingness to make amends,” mentioned Oren Yaniv, the spokesperson. “That is precisely what restorative is supposed to do — deal with hurt, foster understanding, and assist a path ahead.”
