4 weeks ago
The NYPD officer who was accused of punching an erratic man, who was reportedly harassing customers extracurricular an Apple Store astir 3 years ago, has been cleared of each charges, nan Police Benevolent Association (PBA) of nan City of New York announced connected Thursday.
The PBA said a Manhattan judge recovered New York City Police Officer Salvatore Provenzano not blameworthy of battle for a azygous punch he threw to protect himself from a repetition offender causing mayhem in an Upper West Side Apple Store backmost successful 2021.
"We're grateful that nan judge successful this lawsuit [made] nan correct and only determination to find our constabulary serviceman not guilty," PBA President Patrick Hendry said pursuing nan ruling.
Provenzano was indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s agency successful July 2023, and suspended without pay, contempt nan truth that nan fishy was not injured and 2 information guards, who were eyewitnesses, were ne'er called to attest earlier nan expansive jury.
EX-CON NYC MURDER SUSPECT SMILES WITH DA BRAGG SHORTLY BEFORE SHOCKING ARREST
An NYPD serviceman accused of punching an unruly man wrong an Upper West Side Apple Store 3 years agone has been cleared of nan charges, constabulary national reps announced Thursday. (X/@NYCPBA)
Hendry added that contempt having Provenzano cleared, nan lawsuit should ne'er person been successful a courtroom because it did not fresh nan prosecutors' narrative.
"This was ne'er astir fairness aliases justice, this was astir derailing a hardworking constabulary officer. That's what this lawsuit was about, from nan beginning," Hendry explained.
Hendry said nan man Provenzano was accused of assaulting had been banned from nan Apple Store, arsenic good arsenic different one, for threatening security successful nan store, throwing himself connected nan level and refusing to time off for complete 30 minutes, causing chaos.
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Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg leaves 80 Centre St. successful NYC aft speaking during a property conference, Feb. 8, 2024. (Barry Williams for NY Daily News via Getty Images)
Other officers who witnessed nan altercation reportedly tried to intervene and logic pinch nan man, but it did nary good.
"Police Officer Provenzano was simply doing his job, trying to protect himself and nan nationalist from an individual who has many times caused mayhem successful places of business. We’re grateful that nan tribunal recognized that reality and acquitted him, but unluckily a batch of harm has been done," Hendry said.
The constabulary national called prosecuting Provenzano a discarded of time.
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"A good, hardworking bull has been sidelined for astir a year, and constabulary officers crossed this borough are wondering if their careers will besides beryllium derailed by baseless charges. Manhattan prosecutors request to extremity wasting clip and resources targeting cops complete delirium and commencement moving pinch america to reside existent nationalist information issues," Hendry said.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital’s petition for comment.
