Misdemeanor charge filed against Amy Cooper who called the police on a Black man

A misdemeanor charge was filed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office on Wednesday against Amy Cooper, the white woman who previously called the police on a Black man who was birdwatching in Central Park in May and disclosed that she made another 911 call regarding the happenstance.

Amy Cooper was indicted in New York County Criminal Court with deceptively registering an incident in the third degree, as per the Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr.

Charges on Amy Cooper

The charge originates from a May 25 encounter in The Ramble, a forested area of Central Park, among Amy Cooper and Christian Cooper who are not related, by the way. In the midst of a incongruity over her dog who was set free, Amy Cooper dialled 911 and said in an ever more hysterical tone that a Black man was intimidating her, as per the filmed video of the happening.

“I’m taking a picture and calling the cops,” she is saying in the video. “I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life.”

Furthermore, the criminal complaint registered and as per the court’s statement, Amy Cooper called a second time to the police and recurred the allegation with the addition that the man attempted to assault her.

“When responding officers arrived, Ms. Cooper admitted that the male had not ‘tried to assault’ or come into contact with her,” the DA’s office stated.

The video went viral the day George Floyd was murdered, clearing the fact that Black men are in increasing danger in America and underlined the specific barriers they have to endure.

Amy Cooper: after the incident

Following the video, Amy was sacked from her job and her dog was transiently shifted to a shelter prior to coming back to her.

On Wednesday morning, during the hearing for the case, no appeal was made and the case was deferred till 17th November while the prosecutor and defence move towards a disposition.

The prosecutor signified that they are searching a program with the defence, which is intended to not only have the offender take charge for her behaviour but also teach her and the society about the damage caused by such deeds.

“Our Office is committed to safety, justice, and anti-racism, and we will hold people who make false and racist 911 calls accountable,” Vance stated. “As alleged in the complaint, Amy Cooper engaged in racist criminal conduct when she falsely accused a Black man of trying to assault her in a previously unreported second call with a 911 dispatcher. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed in the police response to Ms. Cooper’s hoax. Our Office will pursue a resolution of this case which holds Ms. Cooper accountable while healing our community, restoring justice, and deterring others from perpetuating this racist practice.”

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