Central Park case tossed out

NEW YORK — Amy Cooper, the white woman arrested last year for calling 911 on a Black bird-watcher in New York’s Central Park, had her criminal case thrown out Tuesday after completing a diversionary counseling program that prosecutors said was meant to educate her on the harm of her actions.

Assistant District Attorney Joan IlluzziOrbon said Manhattan prosecutors were satisfied with Cooper’s participation in the program — described as an alternative, restorative justice solution — and were not seeking to pursue the case any further. Such outcomes are standard for first-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges, Illuzzi said.

The confrontation, captured on video the same day Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, drew worldwide attention and was seen by many as a stark example of everyday racism.

Christian Cooper, the bird-watcher who recorded the video and was the subject of Amy Cooper’s 911 call, said he was caught off-guard and learned of the dismissal only when The Associated Press called him shortly thereafter. Illuzzi said he declined to participate in the matter. There is no relation between Christian Cooper and Amy Cooper.