“Central Park Karen,” whose real name is Amy Cooper, has had her misdemeanor charges dropped after she completed five therapy sessions.
In May, Cooper was recorded on camera calling 9-1-1 and falsely accusing a Black birdwatcher, Christian Cooper of “threatening” her after he asked her to put a leash on her dog.
During the call, she claimed that Christian was “threatening my life.”
If found guilty, Cooper would’ve spent a year in prison for falsely reporting an incident in the third degree. Instead, her case was tossed out after a judge approved the Manhattan prosecutor’s request after she completed five therapy sessions “designed for introspection and progress.”
Illuzzi-Orbon told Manhattan Criminal Court Justice Anne Swern, “They sent her to Critical Therapy Center…who provided psychoeducation and therapy services which focused on how Ms. Cooper could appreciate that racial identities shape our lives, but we cannot use them to harm ourselves or others.” Adding that, “Psychoeducation about racial equality is woven into each therapy session to prompt understanding and reflection.” When asked if she wanted to be heard, Cooper told the judge, “No, your honor.” Her lawyer also declined, saying he agreed with the prosecutors’ assessment.
Swern then dismissed and sealed the case.
The rehabilitation program that she completed with Manhattan Justice Opportunities was a penalty that was “consistent” with other misdemeanor cases, Illuzzi-Orbon said on Tuesday.
The prosecutor said during the hearing, “Ms. Cooper’s therapist reported that it was a moving experience and Ms. Cooper learned a lot in their sessions together.”
Following the global outcry over the incident, Christian Cooper declined to comply with the prosecution, saying “she has already paid a steep price.”
