A Brooklyn prosecutor accused of punching and choking an emergency medical technician in a drunken rage has pleaded guilty to lesser charges and will avoid prison time.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Jaccarino of the Kings County District Attorney's Office pleaded guilty to reckless assault, a misdemeanor, on Wednesday.
A judge sentenced him to 10 days of community service. He will also undergo six months of alcohol treatment.
Back in November, Jaccarino, 30, had wandered into traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge after a night of heavy drinking, prosecutors said.
Medics responded and put him in the back on an ambulance. That is when Jaccarino attacked EMT Teresa Soler, punching her in the face and then squeezing her neck, prosecutors said.
Soler's partner and a passerby pulled Jaccarino off Soler and stopped the attack.
"I have no memory of that night, of being on the Brooklyn Bridge, of being in the ambulance," Jaccarino said in court Wednesday. "That being said, I have no problem accepting responsibility. I feel absolutely horrible, devastated by what happened. The only thing I can do is apologize."
Outside the courthouse after the sentencing, Soler said that she was disappointed by the outcome of the case.
"I know my colleages feel as I feel, that this verdict, this sentence, was a proverbial slap to him [Jaccarino] on the wrist and it was a slap to us on the face," she said. "Every day we go into harm's way, and nothing ever comes out of it."
Soler told the Daily News ahead of the sentencing that she works every shift in fear of being attacked again.
The Brooklyn D.A.'s office suspended Jaccarino without pay immediately after his arrest.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 10:07:22 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:03:08 GMT
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has tried to limit the size of soda consumption, ban smoking in parks, encourage bike riding and now there"s another possible plan on the table: mandate recycling of food waste.
West Side resident Matt Murphy has stored a pail of leftovers on his floor for the last two months. His building is part of the city's food-recycling pilot program. Mayor Bloomberg wants to expand the program citywide.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:21:23 GMT
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Related Companies, a major landlord across the country, is banning smoking in all of its apartments. The new rule is meant to create healthier living conditions, according to company officials.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:02 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:02:34 GMT
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Two New York City Council committees are holding a hearing on glitches to the city's emergency 911 system that at times have forced phone operators to resort to pen and paper.
Sunday, June 16 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-06-17 00:46:40 GMT
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Police say a man was shot and killed in front of a Brooklyn apartment building early Sunday morning. Officers found 24-year-old Keith Anthony with a gunshot wound to his torso in front of 518 East 51st Street around 2:45 a.m. EMS took Anthony to Kings County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities say they have made no arrests and their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:19:15 GMT
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
Many talented young women displayed their moves for a chance to join the Brooklynettes Dance Team for the hometown Nets on Saturday. The auditions took place at the LIU-Brooklyn campus. Contestants had to be at least 18 years old with at least eight years of technical dance training. Dancers who were able to make the cut will be invited to a call back audition on Sunday and that audition will be taught by renowned choreographer Rhapsody James. James has choreographed for Beyonce, ...
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Michael Jaccarino
