New York City Prosecutor Defends Going Easy on Teen Who Brutally Attacked Cop

New York City prosecutor Alvin Bragg defended his office’s decision to go easy on a 16-year-old caught on video viciously assaulting a cop who confronted him for not paying the subway fare – the teen’s third felony arrest in less than four months.

The teen, whose name is being withheld due to his age, was charged with second-degree assault Saturday after he was captured on a 54-second clip throwing more than 20 punches at an NYPD officer, slamming him into a metal gate and putting him in a chokehold {snip}

At his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court, prosecutors recommended the teen’s release without bail and diversion to family court – where he’ll be tried as a child and face rehabilitation rather than prison.

{snip}

Just three days earlier, the same troubled teen was arrested and released without bail for allegedly beating and robbing a stranger near Madison Avenue on June 21 when he was 15 – a case that Bragg’s office is prosecuting.

“Our system must respond to children as children,” Bragg spokeswoman Emily Tuttle said in a statement.

“Violence against our police officers is unacceptable, and given his age at the time of arrest, we consented to send the second case to family court as soon as possible, where he would receive the age-appropriate interventions and supports he needs while being held accountable,” the statement continued.

The Manhattan DA was not aware of the teen’s April 12 arrest for possessing a .40 caliber handgun and a crossbow in Brooklyn – a separate jurisdiction, a source told Fox News {snip}

{snip}