Prosecutor drops battery charges against Trump aide

WASHINGTON: Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s campaign manager will not be prosecuted over a runin with a reporter last month, a Florida state attorney said Thursday, citing insufficient evidence to proceed.

The decision to dismiss the case against Corey Lewandowski marks a legal victory for Trump who defended his close aide after he was accused of roughly grabbing former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields at a press conference in Jupiter, Florida.

“This office will not be filing charges against Corey Lewandowski for battery,” Palm Beach County State Attorney David Aronberg told reporters, noting that Jupiter police had filed the initial charges of simple battery against Lewandowski.

“While the evidence in this case is legally sufficient for the police to have charged Mr.

Lewandowski, it is not strong enough to meet the burden of a reasonable likelihood of a conviction,” Aronberg said.

“It is unethical to file cases when we believe there is not a good faith basis to proceed.”

Lewandowski, 42, was accused of grabbing Fields so hard that it left bruises on her arm.

The hard-nosed, controversial campaign manager has vehemently denied that account of the incident, which took place as Trump fielded questions while leaving the news conference.

Trump’s campaign quickly issued a statement after charges were dropped, saying Lewandowski was “gratified by the decision” and appreciated ‘Mr. Trump’s loyalty’.

“The matter is now concluded.” — AFP