A jury has voted to dismiss all charges against the McDonald's cashier who used a metal rod to beat up two customers who slapped him and then jumped over the counter at the West Village location in October. According to DNAInfo, the jury agreed that 31-year-old Rayon McIntosh was acting in self-defense during the altercation on October 13. "Over the last 11 days the grand jury considered the evidence and voted to dismiss in the interest of justice," Assistant District Attorney Jaime Mendoza said. "We ask Mr. McIntosh be freed." more ›

Yesterday, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and his lawyers met with the Manhattan DA's Office. But don't worry—the former head of the IMF is not going to take a plea deal! His lawyer Benjamin Brafman said, "We had a constructive meeting with Mr. Vance and his colleagues," while Manhattan DA's Office spokeswoman Erin Duggan said, "The investigative process is continuing, and no decisions have been made." And to round things out, the accuser's lawyer spoke out yesterday, too. more ›

The 8-year-old boy who brought a loaded gun to his Queens school and sold it to a classmate for $3.50 faces charges of weapons possession. So is his father, Ignacio Galvan, who kept the gun for protection and hid it on a top shelf. According to court papers, Galvan said, "I can't believe my son took it to school. Thank God no one was hurt. It's all my fault." Many agree with him. more ›

The apparently temperamental singer Chris Brown will not be investigated by the NYPD for his temper tantrum at ABC's Times Square studios—because ABC won't press charges. That's probably because, even though Brown had a temper tantrum and smashed a window in a dressing room yesterday, Good Morning America wants him back on the show! more ›

We've heard plenty of stories about people using ATMs to skim money from unsuspecting customers, but it seems that banks have been taking note, and have decided to get in on the action: several banks are rolling out dastardly new charges that could increase ATM fees to $5! more ›

While some reports have been declaring that Charlie Sheen is off the hook for his hooker, coke and booze-fueled adventures at the Plaza Hotel in October, new reports suggest that the investigation is still open. Yesterday TMZ said authorities don't believe Sheen engaged in any criminal conduct—you know, even though he was escorted from his suite frothing, naked and with a hooker locked in the bathroom. Just a typical family vacation! more ›

More details have emerged about Wednesday's terrible incident in which a Bronx schoolteacher suffered a miscarriage after attempting to break up a petty fight: according to the Times, 27-year-old teacher Lissedia Batista, was trying to break up a squabble between a ninth-grader and 10th grader in her classroom who were arguing over a chair. According to the News, Batista was accidentally elbowed in the stomach by one of the students, and fell to the ground crying. She was taken from Explorations Academy in Claremont to the hospital where she had the miscarriage. more ›

An off-duty NYPD officer was arrested and charged with a DWI yesterday after being caught passed out at the wheel of his illegally parked car in the Bronx. Police Officer Anthony Rodriguez, 27, was suspended following the incident, which took place near 183rd St. around 3 a.m. on Thanksgiving. Rodriguez refused a breathalyzer test, but officers noticed his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot. According to the Post, Rodriguez pleaded guilty earlier this month to drunkenly resisting arrest at a Mets-Padres game in June. According to the News, this was the second off-duty NYPD officer arrested for DWI, and the fifty city cop booked on criminal charges this week. But we all know that Thanksgiving can do strange things to people. more ›

Rep. Charles Rangel, the 20-term politician who is facing trial for numerous House ethics violations, defiantly vowed to fight, fight, fight for renomination. Appearing this weekend at an outdoor celebration organized by church leaders in Harlem, Rangel decided that the best way to frame his fight was to play the "race card," as the Post so eloquently puts it: "All of you remember that this fight is never, never going to end. I'm just one of the foot soldiers; just one of those [who] fought in the march so that one day our kids [will] be able to say, 'Do you remember when there was bigotry and prejudice in this country? Do you remember when there wasn't fairness?'" more ›

The man who took a plunge from the upper decks of the Jones Beach amphitheater last week was discharged from the hospital on Friday, just two days after his nearly fatal fall at the Phish show. The man's name has still not been officially released, but he reportedly jumped from the balcony—as opposed to being shoved, or losing his balance. And this means he's going to face charges. more ›

The man who allegedly went on a stabbing spree last Thursday in the Meatpacking District "was charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon," according to NY1. Four civilians were stabbed and/or slashed and were three police officers suffering minor (non-stabbing) injuries; all are expected to survive their injuries. more ›

Today, the Justice Department announced that it charged five al Qaeda members with plotting to not just attack the NYC subways last fall but also attack another country. Per the FBI press release, the scheme the involved former Queens resident Najibullah Zazi "was also directly related to a scheme by al Qaeda plotters in Pakistan to use Western operatives to attack a target in the United Kingdom." more ›

Lest you think yesterday's arrest of an allegedly sex-crazed abusive narcotics detective is just an isolated incident, there's yet another rapist cop in the news. Yesterday ex-cop Wilfredo Rosario (who was previously found guilty of telling a teenager that if she performed oral sex on him he'd destroy a summons for trespassing in Riverside Park) went on trial for two other alleged violations: that he sexually abused two women after luring them with promises of applications for jobs and programs for their children. And a fourth trial for rape looms for Rosario after this one. more ›

Former Giants great Lawrence Taylor is free on $75,000 bond after being accused of paying $300 to pay to have sex with a 16-year-old teen from the Bronx who had runaway from home. Taylor's lawyer Arthur Aidala said, "Lawrence Taylor didn't have consensual sex with anyone last night. He didn't have sex with anyone. Mr. Taylor is going to fight each and every one of these charges." more ›

Four teenagers were all arrested and charged with hate crime after allegedly beating and robbing a Mexican immigrant in Staten Island on Monday. Victim Rodulfo Olmedo was reportedly heading home one night in Port Richmond, Staten Island when he was jumped by four men who beat him with a baseball bat, wooden planks and a metal chain, and yelled racial slurs at him. WABC reports that 17-year-olds Rolston Hopson, Tyrone Goodman, and William Marcano, and another 15-year-old suspect, were arrested on charges of assault as a hate crime, gang assault, robbery and a hate crime of aggravated harassment. more ›

A Bronx man has filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against the city claiming he was wrongfully arrested on made-up charges of soliciting sex from an undercover cop—and the NYPD kept him behind bars for so long he missed his father's funeral. "It's very upsetting," 51-year-old security guard Clifton Quarles Jr. said in a statement issued to the Daily News. "My father was my best friend and I missed his funeral. I will have to live with that for a lifetime." more ›

Yesterday, the U.S. Attorney's office charged the former president of Park Avenue Bank with 10 counts including fraud, embezzlement and bribery in a scheme to pass off millions in TARP funds as his own. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said, "[Charles] Antonucci is the first person ever to be charged with attempting to defraud the TARP and we expect he will not be the last." more ›

We've theorized since 27-year-old Ridgewood, Queens driver Miodrag Mejdina decided not to press charges against Naomi Campbell, that he was somehow talked into it. Like how money talks, and Campbell's boyfriend is billionaire Vlad Doronin. Now the NY Post pretty much confirms, being told by a police source that he was bullied out of filing assault charges. more ›

Earlier this week Naomi Campbell hit 27-year-old driver Miodrag Mejdina, but he didn't press charges after spending much of the afternoon at the 17th Precinct. The Daily News says "Coo-Coo" Campbell is now free to move on to her 11th victim, and no one is safe. more ›

Using surveillance video from that epic bar brawl at the Salty Dog in Bay Ridge, prosecutors have identified 11 people, including active and retired firemen, who may face some pretty serious charges. One captain and one lieutenant have been identified, and the Brooklyn DA's office is considering "slapping" the whole crew with gang assault charges, sources tell the Post. However, some prosecutors "are concerned that a gang-assault rap might lead to expectations of identical charges in future cases." It's true; once the public gets a taste of that sweet gang-assault justice, they'll never stop craving it! more ›

After former police commissioner Howard Safir backed his SUV into a pregnant lady on the Upper East Side, it was initially reported that he would not face charges. However, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance's spokesperson said it would investigate the matter, because "traffic accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists are a serious concern in Manhattan." Well, now, nearly a month later, Vance's office is closing the book on the matter, telling the Times, "Our office conducted a further factual inquiry as we often do. We found no evidence of a crime, and the matter is closed." more ›

Remember Kisha Jones — the Brooklyn wife accused of trying to kill her husband's out-of-wedlock baby by tricking the mother into taking an abortion-inducing medicine then attempting to poison the infant with tainted breast milk? Prosecutors now allege that after the baby's birth, she posed as a hospital administrator in an unsuccessful attempt to have the infant taken off its respirator! more ›

Last year, 72-year-old songwriter, film director and one-time Oscar winner (for penning "You Light Up My Life"), Joseph Brooks was charged with a 91-count indictment after luring girls to his apartment via Craigslist ads. He conned many into taking cross country trips to his casting couch, with promises of stardom and a part in his next movie. Except there was no movie, and when the young girls would arrive he would allegedly sexually assault and rape them. more ›

Update below: Former Police Commissioner Howard Safir will not be charged for backing his Cadillac Escalade into a pregnant woman in the Upper East Side and then driving away, the Post reports. The Giuliani-era NYPD head struck Joanne Valarezo, who is seven months pregnant, on Third Avenue between East 80th and East 81st streets on Friday. more ›

The bus driver who hit and killed a cyclist — reportedly while driving in reverse — will not be charged, according to police. "I don't believe that anyone will be charged," an NYPD spokesman told Streetsblog. "The driver remained on the scene. Looks like it was just an accident." Considering that this is Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance's first week on the job, the transit website ponders whether or not this case will be indicative of his office's stance on vehicular crimes. The victim's name has not been released pending family notification. more ›

Back in June, a Long Island store owner decided to take pity on a bat-wielding man who attempted to rob his store by giving him $40 and a loaf of bread. At the time, Mohammed Sohail—who was armed—said, "He started crying that he was out of work and was trying to feed his hungry family. I felt bad for him. I mean, this wasn't some kid." Now the Post reports that Sohail received $50 and a thank you note from the would-be thief. He "reluctantly" turned over the note to the Suffolk County police, who want to investigate the crime, but said, "I forgive him. I do not want police to arrest him. I'm not going to press charges. He sent me a Christmas gift." more ›

Fresh meat will be denied to a nation eager to see justice meted out upon the Colorado parents behind the "Balloon Boy" saga—if the family's lawyer has his way. Richard and Mayumi Heene could face up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 if it's proven that they falsely reported that six-year-old son Falcon had been carried away in a homemade balloon on Thursday. Denver lawyer David Lane says his clients are willing to surrender, in part so they aren't arrested in front of their children. more ›

Brooklyn prosecutors expect to meet next week with gotcha "journalists" James O'Keefe and Hannah Giles to view raw hidden-camera footage recorded by the duo at an ACORN office in Brooklyn, where they duped employees of the community organizing group into giving bad advice to Giles, posing as a prostitute with O'Keefe as her pimp. A spokesman for the Brooklyn DA tells the Daily News, "This is a first step, and there are possible criminal charges." As you probably know by now, the heavily edited video has become a rallying cry for drown-government-in-the-bathtub right-wingers, and yesterday the House of Representatives voted 345 to 75 to deny funding for ACORN. The vote came on a provision attached to a student aid bill; on Monday the Senate voted 83 to 7 to deny housing and community grant funding to ACORN. According to the AP, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the latest allegations against ACORN as "horrible," but she still believes the group has many honest employees and stresses that it's up to House-Senate negotiators to determine whether the provision to cut funding remains in the final version of the bill. more ›

The Westchester District Attorney's office announced that no charges will be filed against the husband of the woman who, while apparently drunk and high, crashed her minivan while driving the wrong way on the Taconic State Parkway, killing eight people. Westchester DA Janet Fiore said, "Diane Schuler died... and the charges died with her." more ›