Charges dropped for NYC council member in officer biting case

NEW YORK — Charges against a New York City Council member, who faced allegations of biting a police officer during a protest, have been dismissed after completing a “restorative justice process,” as disclosed by the Brooklyn district attorney’s office.
The council member in question, Susan Zhuang, a Democrat, had been facing charges of felony assault along with various misdemeanors and violations relating to an incident last year. This incident reportedly took place amid a heated protest concerning the construction of a new homeless shelter in her Brooklyn district.
According to details in a court complaint, Zhuang allegedly bit the forearm of a deputy police chief and resisted handcuffing after being instructed to stop pushing barricades towards law enforcement personnel. In her defense, Zhuang later explained that she believed the police used excessive force as she was attempting to assist a woman who had ended up on the ground beneath a barricade.
No immediate comment was available from Zhuang’s office in response to a request emailed on Tuesday, while her attorney, Jerry Goldfeder, opted not to provide a statement.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s spokesperson revealed that Zhuang’s case was dismissed through a “restorative justice process” designed to facilitate dialogue, accountability, and healing.
“This conclusion was reached based on the wishes of the victim and the defendant’s preparedness to make amends,” explained Oren Yaniv, the spokesperson. “The process exemplifies the goals of restorative justice — addressing harm, promoting understanding, and forging a productive way forward.”