Queens DA Won't Charge NY Cop in Judge's Claim

Justice Thomas Raffaele says he was struck last Friday after midnight when he and a friend came upon officers wrestling with a shirtless man wielding a pipe

New York City prosecutors won't bring criminal charges against a police officer accused of attacking a state Supreme Court judge without provocation.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown conducted a three-month investigation into the June 1 incident involving the judge, Thomas Raffaele. Brown's office said Wednesday the facts do not warrant charges and referred the incident to the police department.

Raffaele says he was struck when he came upon officers wrestling with a man wielding a pipe.

He says he called 911 because the crowd was getting out of control, and the officers yelled and cursed, then one struck him in the throat.

Brown's office ruled there was not enough evidence to show officers used excessive force in restraining the man wielding the pipe. The man wielding the pipe was declared emotionally disturbed and hospitalized, but not arrested.

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