For years, many of us have raised concerns over the political weaponization of the New York legal system from the civil fraud case against the Trump company by New York Attorney General Letitia James to the criminal prosecution by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The popularity of these lawfare warriors shows how a dual legal system has taken hold in the city. That was never more evident than in the decision of Bragg to drop the case against Brianna J. Rivers, 30, who assaulted a pro-life advocate in a case of political violence. While blamed on negligence within his office, the dropping of the prosecution of Rivers is only the latest example of enabling those who turn to violence in our political system.
Rivers was captured on videotape attacking Craven Antao after she asked Rivers questions about abortion and repeated her answers. Antao was persistent and argumentative in the video below, but never threatened Rivers or in any way prompted an assault:
New York police arrested Rivers in April on one count of second-degree assault. Prosecutors had this videotape that showed no provocation or excuse for the violent attack. Antao had to go to emergency room for stitches and pay $3,000 in medical bills.
Nevertheless, Bragg’s office first downgraded the charge from second-degree assault to a misdemeanor and has now dropped the case entirely. He is going to let Rivers walk after an act of political violence captured on film.
According to reports, Braggs’ office missed a critical deadline to turn over evidence. However, this came after the office downgraded the case and then threw up its hands after missing the deadline. It is either a case of intentional scuttling or a lack of priority given an allegation of political violence. The most that Braggs’ office can claim is that it was incompetent in one of the most notorious cases in the office. The videotape received national attention with other examples of violent political incidents.
Bragg’s office could not focus on bringing even a misdemeanor case to show that political violence is unacceptable, even from those on the left.
If this were a pro-life advocate attacking a pro-choice person in New York, it is hard to imagine Bragg slow-walking the prosecution, downgrading the charges, and then dismissing the case after missing a deadline. There would have been an outcry from the public for deterrence and prosecution.
We have also seen the wholesale dropping of charges against rioters in major cities despite massive levels of property damage.
Compare the handling of lawyers in New York City who threw Molotov cocktails at police with a recent case in California. The attorneys (Colinford Mattis and Urooj Rahman) were given generous plea deals by the Southern District of New York with only 15 months in jail. The judge even praised one of the lawyers for her commitment to public interest. There were no state charges.
This week, a ‘scholar-activist” received almost 20 years in prison and a nearly $100,000 in fines for firebombing a University of California Berkeley police car and other acts of arson. Casey Goonan also claimed political motivations in supporting Palestine in the attacks.
Even given the more extensive record of violence of Goonan, the light punishment given to the New York lawyers was shocking to many of us. Admittedly, that was not a state case, but rather a federal case under the Biden Administration. However, it reinforced the uncertainty as to punishment for serious crimes in New York. There was no apparent move by the district attorney to bring state charges or to push for more serious penalties from their federal counterparts.
In the full video, Rivers makes it perfectly clear she wants to kill children who end up wards of the state in part because the children are inconvenient and unwanted by the parents. Kudos to her for her honesty.
Reminds me of when Bill Maher interviewed Bob Costas. Costas, the far left hack that he is, promoted the left’s idiotic argument that people oppose abortion because they want to control the woman’s body. Maher stopped him. Maher did not allow Costas to falsely define the motive of the anti-abortions side that way. He told Costas they oppose abortion because they believe it is kind of like murder. Then Maher added, paraphrasing, ‘It kinda is. And I’m ok with that.’
That’s being honest. So I give credit to both Maher and Rivers for their honesty.
Didn’t God have to breathe life into Adam, the first breath after Adam was fully fashioned? Solves the chicken and egg idea? Chicken came first.
Ok, Wow. First, Professor Turley is exaggerating the circumstances of the story and making it way more sinister than it is. After researching the story, Turley only linked to one source, it became obvious he left out a lot of things. For example. He leaves the impression that Bragg personally prosecuted the case, but that’s not true. Second, Professor Turley deliberately implies the dropping of the charges was intentional because Bragg is refusing to prosecute a case against a conservative against a violent liberal, and therefore allowing political violence from the left to go unpunished. That is a huge load of bull dooky.
Here is what really happened.
Craven Anteo who is a pro-life YouTuber was interviewing Rivers on the street. The interview got heated when Anteo started interrupting Rivers. This is the part Professor Turley leaves out. According to the NY Post,
“ During the filmed interview, tensions flared when the conservative influencer pressed Rivers about her views on the controversial topics.
The interview gradually grew sour as Craven Antao routinely interrupted Rivers, claimed women who have undergone abortions were “killing babies” and even laughed at her interview subject, the video showed.
Things took a turn when Craven Antao asked whether foster kids should be killed because “they’re not wanted,” and Rivers responded, “Why not?”
Craven Anteo was already provoking Rivers and kept egging Rivers’ anger by repeating a question that was clearly infuriating Rivers. This was not an unprovoked attack. Craven Anteo was getting aggressive with her questions.
This was not just some out-of-the-blue political attack. This was an interview getting out of hand and the YouTuber Craven Anteo was escalating the situation.
Bragg’s office did not intentionally drop the charges because Rivers was a leftist. The charges were dropped because of a mistake when the case was transferred to another prosecutor and they missed a filing deadline to hand over evidence to the defense. It was a mistake not a deliberate attempt to drop the case. Professor Turley didn’t mention Bragg’s office reached out to Craven Anteo to apologize for the mistake.
Professor Turley turned this story into a sob story of right-wing victimhood from radical-left political violence and make it into a false narrative. It was obvious once you dive into the details of the story. Professor Turley is clearly being disingenuous with the facts to push a story that will rile up MAGA and continue the false narrative of the left-wing political violence.
Pathetic.
X, just try saying that yes, she should never have punched the other person and yes she should have been charged for doing so.
The left will defend the indefensible and that is why they are at 20% right now.
Absolutely, because everyone knows speech is violence right? All Rivers had to do was turn around and leave.
Or….Craven could have ended the interview when things got heated.
If George Svelaz doesn’t like the content in speech, he believes in fists and violence. I can see George Svelaz cheering for the man who killed Charlie Kirk. George Svelaz is a real leftist. Kill anyone who disagrees, one person at a time.
X, dem is fightin words? The attacker is required to announce her intentions giving the reporter time to remove her glasses? Then specify a time, place and manner to fight? Dual at dawn by the oak tree with pistols?
This is what you do, X. These gaping holes ALWAYS exist. Xbot
^^^ duel, not dual. 👀
Aggressive, even provocative questions by an interviewer are no excuse for physical violence. I am surprised you suggest otherwise. If Rivers was offended, all she had to do was walk away.
It’s not an excuse for violence. The point is this was not an “unprovoked” attack. That’s is what Turley wants to portray when in facts nothing of the sort occurred. The interview was already getting heated and Craven kept escalating it. She didn’t deserve to get punched, but she also didn’t de-escalate the situation. She too is responsible for the outcome.
^^^ bot
“The point is this was not an “unprovoked” attack.”
The pea-brain with big fists doesn’t know what an unprovoked attack is. The woman she attacked was not a threat or pursuing her. This is another example of George Svelaz not having the mental capacity to think things out. He is always reverting to she had it coming, so let’s attack or murder.
X, typical leftist response. Blame the victim. Don’t you see she had it coming. Being adversarial is a responsibility of the person doing the interview if necessary. Reporters from the mainstream media are adversarial to the Trump administration every day of the year. Why have we heard no complaints from you that the mainstream media should stop what they’re doing. A poorly thought out argument is just a poorly thought out argument from another dyed in the wool leftist. Thank you for reinforcing what we already know.
” This was not an unprovoked attack.”
This occurred on an open street where Rivers could have walked away. She didn’t. Instead, she became violent
George Svelaz defends physical assault where no threat exists. That same twisted logic cost Charlie Kirk his life. To Svelaz, violence is acceptable when reason fails, because, as a leftist, he believes fists can win the arguments his mind can’t.
Yes, Meyer, and that makes X dangerous. No one should talk to dangerous people.
I totally understand the indoctrinated horde that overwhelms NYC but there was a video of the crime???? I am doubtful if Charlie Kirk’s method of exchanging and discussing ideas will have any impact on the hot mess that is an urban blue cesspool. I do think we need to consider a different methodology to deal with so much flotsam that is like grit inside a piston of a motor. Either you clean out the piston or you ruin the motor.
Well said Whimsicalmama.
TY
WhimsicalMama,
This is just the latest example of political violence being rewarded by the lawless Democrats. I fully expect to see more and more violent acts like this as leftists are unhinged, and Democrats rage rhetoric continues to fuel it. It is truly unfortunate in what should be a civil society. As we have seen in many examples of leftists who disagree with others, rather than have a debate as Kirk would, they through tantrums. Shouting obscenities, flipping over tables, even wrecking a pop up tent. Even assault and battery as seen in the video. Of course Democrats will not up hold the law as it should apply to all, regardless of political affiliation or stance on a given topic. Rather, if it fits the DNC agenda or narrative, they reward the acts of violence.
Why would anyone stay in NY if they can leave. It was once quite a town. Enough so that people united and came from all over the nation to help after 9/11. I was there in the city in 11/2001. I suspect that would not occur now. There is already an exodus of population, businesses, and money from the city and state. It would appear to have the worst of the worst political setting. A deep blue city surrounded by deep blue states (except Pennsylvania which is more purple)
So I would again ask why you would stay. Just because you were born there or lived your life there does not mean you can’t pull up stakes and look for something better.
I was living in Dallas in 1990-1991 when Exxon pulled out of NY and set up their head quarters in Dallas-Ft Worth. It was interesting to see the reactions of people who left NY and moved and their glee to finding no winter, bigger homes, swimming pools and cheaper taxes at that time. They were often dumbfounded by the attitude of friends who gave up high paying jobs at Exxon so they could stay in NY.
It just takes making a decision and a first step. Time to explore new venues.
GEB, you raise all good points. Some of us grew up here in Upstate New York, which is actually lovely. We have the wonderful mountains and lakes. In recent decades the political forces have created a judicial system that continues to disappoint. Those of us who are licensed to practice law in New York have an additional reason to remain. I know that one member of Congress from Upstate New York has filed an ethics complaint against Letitia James. But our governor just endorsed the radical candidate for Mayor of NYC. It’s a mess!
True and that’s Mamdani’s purpose. Destroy NYC , divide the States is insurance.
The city is filled with George Svelaz’s, one of many breeds that thrive in New York. Born with a small head and big fists, he thinks with the latter. When he lashes out, the surge of blood is the closest thing he’ll ever feel to thought. He moves through life certain that the charges will vanish, just like every other consequence in his city of indulgence.
The rest of the city is slowly disappearing, and avoids George, making sure they are inside when he is out.
“Bragg’s office could not focus on bringing even a misdemeanor case to show that political violence is unacceptable . . .” (JT)
It’s a good thing Biden’s DOJ wasn’t in charge of prosecuting Ryan Routh. He’d be at home right now wearing an ankle bracelet — for three months.
And probably have his rifle returned to him.
Ah, wait till Madmani takes the reins he’s going to make Twinkie’s look like William Jennings Bryan. New Yorkers used to sell the Brooklyn Bridge to visiting hay seeders now they’re the one buying the bridge.
It appears we are witnessing a major divide between jurisdictions over how cases of political violence will be treated, based entirely on the motivations of the criminals and the political affiliation of both the victim and the prosecutor. Along the way, we have some politicians who are proclaiming that they don’t want people of other political persuasions to live within their jurisdictions. It’s almost like the idea of political no-go zones, similar to what is happening on a major level in Europe.
I don’t know what the eventual outcome will be, but it looks dreary to me.
Forget Bragg; he’s beyond repair and needs to just go away. AG Bondi should take up the case as a deprivation of rights under the US Constitution. Let’s see if the SDNY is willing to do its job.
Imagine that. Lawless Democrats not prosecuting, on video, assault and battery. Rewarding violence against anyone who dares to oppose the DNC agenda or narrative. But oh! Bragg will go after someone who has the gall to use a knife in self-defense against a ex-con, Bodega worker in Rikers on murder charge after stabbing attacker in self-defense
https://nypost.com/2022/07/06/nyc-bodega-worker-jose-alba-charged-in-fatal-stabbing-feared-for-his-life-family-says/
absolutely, no justification for this action other than politics.
The attacker is a violent person and without impulse control. Most likely she embezzled and shoplifts, as well, vandalism when angered etc. This was an outrageous attack.
outrageous decision by Bragg …
In some places, there is simply no accountability. I do not think that Judge Boyd, in Texas, would have been so nonchalant, had this beastie been in front of her, but in New York? Chicago? etc. This is a nothing burger. Just part of the culture. Acceptable behavior.
The truly astonishing thing is that the right has not, after these years of lawfare and one-sided Justice in blue jurisdictions, resorted to violence themselves, other than fairly isolated incidents. Part of the reason, though, is that the justice system and media, Including conservatives, come crashing down on them and they do not have DA’s and judges sympathetic to them. They mostly only have one thing in their corner, Trump, and he can very often do nothing for them.
Because conservatives actually believe that political violence is almost always wrong.
John Say,
Well said and spot on!!
I have been saying for many years, the abuse of Prosecutorial discretion and Judicial discretion as a weapon against carrying out a Constitutional duty should be a criminal offense. For the last 20 years this abuse of power has been in use by “activist” legal officers to wheel their own type of injustice. It is up to Congress to enact legislation that make it a Federal Felony to abuse such power!
And republicans will continue to send billions to ny
Time to defund democrats
End federal aid to them
Doing what comes naturally … Letitia and Alvin, before their hatred set in, grew up seeing legal authorities doing essentially what they wanted. They didn’t see the legal restraints used, nor the wisdom evoked. They didn’t see statutes as laws but as licenses for personal vendettas. Now as adult prosecutors, they thoroughly see the law to be used arbitrarily as punishment against people they don’t like, e.g. Trump. Hate is the secret sauce that converts the best efforts of mankind to the worst.
Yep, hire a lib, this is what you get.
It’s NEW YORK NEW YORK baby!!!! So nice they named it twice! That sh!thole is about to get even better with the American Commy Mayor! Just think of the mayhem Bragg can overlook and dismiss as that toilet descends into its own filth! THEY ASKED FOR IT – THEY GOT IT! Let’s see how everyday folks do once the predators are off the chain completely! Only the wealthy can afford gun-toting security so RUN FOR LIFE EVERYDAY TO AND FROM WORK!!! HAHA!
Bragg should be removed from office.
I didn’t think they could do worse than that other Marxist idiot they had a few years back. Hard to believe those foreign idiots like that chit! I guess OP money keeps them happy and rolling in beer, pot, booze and cigarettes!
I sure wish they would quit moving to Florida.
JAIL BRAGG!!
Punching him would be far more satisfying, but alas we are gentlemen now aren’t we?Fisticuffs as a last resort where we halt upon submission and never inflict serious harm.🎱🤔
There are also free-speech ramifications at play here. Assuming (it isn’t much of a leap) that Bragg’s office “botched” this case wilfully because the victim of the crime was speaking against abortion, the victim is being denied justice because of her political viewpoint, and others with the same viewpoint will know that it is open season on them in New York. Government action based on failing to protect citizens for their political view violates the first amendment, and effectively denies them equal treatment under the law. Bragg can hide behind the argument that the puncher here was not an agent of the government, and proving (there is knowing and there is proving) wilfullness on his part is difficult at best. Has the civil war already begun?