An aide to Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Thursday said a reporter’s battery charge against the billionaire’s campaign manager distracts from “real” instances of the crime.
“Anytime you see a woman claiming to be battered by a man, you should investigate, and that’s exactly what happened,” Katrina Pierson said on Fox Business Network’s “The Intelligence Report.” “Unfortunately, this was not the case, which actually hurts real cases of battery in this country, considering the magnitude and scope of the publicity of this case.
{mosads}“I think it was mishandled initially by the person saying that she was battered. And then to demand an apology from someone who had no idea what she was talking about to begin with, I think, sets another bad precedent.”
Authorities in Florida on Thursday formally declined to prosecute Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, on a charge of simple battery.
Former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields alleged that Lewandowski gripped her arm during a campaign rally in Jupiter, Fla., last month, leaving bruises.
“This office will not be filing charges against Corey Lewandowski for battery,” Palm Beach County state prosecutor David Aronberg said during a press conference Thursday.
“The evidence cannot prove all legally required elements of the crime alleged and is insufficient to support a criminal prosecution,” he said in related signed filings provided to media outlets.
Pierson on Thursday said Trump’s campaign always believed the available evidence would favor Lewandowski.
“We knew that this was coming,” she said of Aronberg’s decision. “Clearly, Mr. Lewandowski did not do what this reporter said that he did. The process has been played out, and Mr. Lewandowski has been released from all charges. We’re happy that this has finally been resolved.”
Reports emerged on Wednesday that Fields now plans on pursuing defamation charges against Lewandowski and Trump.
Trump has repeatedly said her claims “seriously maligned” the integrity of his campaign manager.