Cops: Charges dropped against man who killed wife's would-be rapist
NEW YORK – Authorities have dropped charges against a Bronx man accused in the fatal beating of another man who police said was trying to rape his wife, reports CBS New York.
Mamadou Diallo, 61, was originally charged with manslaughter, before the count was reduced to assault and criminal possession of a weapon charges in the May 30 beating death of 43-year-old Earl Nash.
Diallo’s wife Nenegale was at home when she answered a knock at her door and Nash allegedly pushed his way in, attacked her, pulled his pants down and tore off her clothes, according to authorities.
Her sister was in a back room of the apartment and broke up the attack, and Nenegale then called her husband.
Diallo caught Nash as he was running away, and a fight broke out, according to authorities. Diallo beat Nash with a tire iron in an elevator, according to authorities. He died a short time later at a hospital. An autopsy determined his death was caused by complications related to his injuries, cocaine intoxication and heart disease.
Nash had been arrested 19 times before on charges including robbery, arson, assault, and more.
“This case was a tragedy for all whose lives intersected in that Bronx building on the night of May 30, 2016,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said. “We waited for three months for the autopsy results, and after a thorough investigation as well as discussions with the deceased’s family, we have determined that no grand jury action is warranted.”
Nash’s family said he suffered from schizophrenia and that his life spiraled out of control due to a lack of mental health treatment.
“As a family we pray that Mrs. Diallo and family may recover from the unfortunate trauma they’ve experienced. While we cannot [undo] the damage that was done that evening, we hope to bring some closure not only to our family but to the Diallo family as well,” Nash’s family said in a statement.
Diallo, a taxi driver whose license was revoked following the charges, said he will now try to have it reinstated. Outside the court on Wednesday, his wife smiled and said she was pleased with the decision.
“Really really happy today because it’s a surpise to me,” Nenegale Diallo told CBS New York.