The Bronx DA dropped charges today against four Bronx teens who were charged with weapons possession, attempted assault, menacing and harassment after hitting an off-duty cop with a snowball. Spokeswoman Jillian Osorio told the Daily News it was dropped because of "insufficient evidence." Or maybe the evidence just melted? The four are happy to not have to deal with the case anymore, with 19-year-old Christian Perez saying, "The whole thing was nonsense. I'm glad it's over and I hope it doesn't happen to someone else." And now they're now planning a $10 million suit against the city for false arrest and malicious prosecution!
Officer Adonis Ramirez claimed in his suit that the four attacked him with several snowballs and taunted him in Spanish, even though only one of the four knows the language. Ramirez was in street clothes at the time, and drew his service gun while failing to identify himself as a cop. Lawyer Neil Wollerstein said, "The only crime committed here was a lack of judgment. The DA's office realized that these charges were utter nonsense." The streets are safe for now, but just wait—water cannon season is just around the corner.
