New York, New York - Thomas More Society attorneys have responded to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s public apology to Savannah Craven Antao, with a letter offering alternative paths to secure justice for Craven Antao—the pro-life journalist who suffered a brutal assault caught on camera while discussing abortion and expressing her Christian beliefs on a public sidewalk.

Bragg’s office allowed the assault to go unpunished, first downgrading the charge against the assailant, Brianna Rivers, to a misdemeanor, and then failed to meet a critical discovery deadline that led to the misdemeanor charge being dismissed. Research by Thomas More Society attorneys, however, revealed that felony charges have a longer deadline, which would appear to leave Bragg’s office with additional time to revive the case against Rivers by pursuing felony charges, according to case law in the First Department.  

In a letter to Bragg’s office hand-delivered on October 1, Thomas More Society attorneys note that in addition to a felony assault, Bragg could also pursue felony hate crime charges, as Savannah was attacked while peacefully expressing her faith-based pro-life beliefs.

“District Attorney Alvin Bragg has an opportunity to show his office is truly sorry for putting Savannah, and every woman witnessing her faith in New York, at risk,” said Christopher Ferrara, Senior Counsel at Thomas More Society. “Or is Bragg just sorry because his bungled case is now making national headlines?”

Thomas More Society attorneys have repeatedly attempted to get in contact with DA Bragg’s office on Savannah’s behalf to no avail. It wasn’t until the failed prosecution made national headlines that Manhattan DA’s office decided to contact Savannah and extend an apology. Now, they are offering one final opportunity for Bragg to right this wrong.

“This is Bragg’s moment of truth,” Ferrara continued. “Actions speak louder than words. Reviving the felony charge and pursuing a hate crime charge would show real accountability and send a message that political violence has no home here. We believe there is reasonable legal basis for doing so.”

Meanwhile, the assailant, Brianna Rivers, has shown no genuine remorse. She has celebrated the dropped charges and offered her own disingenuous apology while ‘liking’ social media comments that read “you ain’t hit that girl hard enough” and “she deserved everything.”’  

Thomas More Society attorneys announced last week that they will file a civil suit and seek damages on behalf of Savannah, against her assailant, after the Manhattan DA’s office botched the prosecution and had the misdemeanor assault charge dismissed.  

“As we await a response from Bragg’s office, we will continue to pursue our civil case against Rivers, to ensure that there are consequences for using violence to silence speech that one disagrees with,” Ferrara said.

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