Prosecutor Won't Pursue Battery Charge Against Trump Aide
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — Donald Trump's campaign manager will not be prosecuted on a misdemeanor battery charge.
Prosecutors say there wasn't enough evidence to convict Corey Lewandowski of forcibly grabbing a female reporter, according to a court document filed Thursday.
"While the evidence in this case is legally sufficient for police to have charged Mr. Lewandowski, it is not strong enough to meet the legal burden of a reasonable likelihood of conviction," said State Attorney Dave Aronberg.
Police had last month charged 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 8th appearance in West Palm Beach.
The state attorney's office says video shows Fields going into what's called "the protective bubble" after being told to stay out - then touching Trump first - causing Lewandowski to take action.
"We're not charging him because he was reacting to what he perceived as a potential threat to someone he is in charge of protecting," said Chief Assistant State Attorney Adrienne Ellis.
Following the incident, Fields tweeted a photograph of her bruised forearm and said she had been yanked backward.
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.
Trump himself called the state attorney as part of the investigation.
"He said, he gave his version of the facts then his opinion in the case and urged us to do the right thing," said Aronberg.
Aronberg was asked if politics played a role in this. He said no and pointed out he knows a lot of people in the running.
"At first they were saying that somehow I was doing this on behalf of Hillary Clinton and then they found out I was law school housemates with Ted Cruz. He and I shared a bathroom the first year of law school," said Aronberg. "I assure you that had no impact upon our decision. I knew Marco Rubio in the Florida legislature and I have met Mr. Trump on a few occasions."
Prosecutors Thursday said Fields was disappointed over the prosecution's decision.
Fields 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.
The Trump campaign issued a statement following the decision saying, "Corey Lewandowski is gratified by the decision to drop the misdemeanor charge and appreciates the thoughtful consideration and professionalism by the Palm Beach State Attorney and his staff who carefully reviewed this matter, as well as Mr. Trump's loyalty and the support of his colleagues and family during this time. The matter is now concluded."
Click here to read more about Campaign 2016.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)