The assault charges against former Cro-Mags bassist Harley Flanagan, who had allegedly bit and stabbed current members of the hardcore combo at a show last summer, have been dropped due to insufficient evidence, according to his lawyer.
DNA Info [via Pitchfork] reports that prosecutors dismissed the case earlier this morning (December 14) in Manhattan Criminal Court, noting that they didn't have enough evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
"This is great news for him and his family," Flanagan's lawyer Sean Parmenter said. "He feels vindicated."
It had initially been reported that the July 6 incident at New York's Webster Hall found Flanagan forcing his way backstage and into the band's dressing room, and then stabbed William Berario and Michael Couls with a hunting knife. During the incident, Flanagan also allegedly bit Berario on the face.
Shortly after being charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, Flanagan told his side of the story, claiming self-defence after being ambushed in an "old fashion biker beat down," by the band.
"When I saw that door get pulled shut I was literally fighting for my life," he said at the time. "I was afraid these guys were going to kick me half to death, roll me down the back steps and that no one would see it... and there would be no witnesses and that would be that."
Flanagan's legal team had long claimed that it would be hard for the District Attorney's Office to track down witnesses to build their case. The DA's Office has yet to comment on the dismissal of the charges.
DNA Info [via Pitchfork] reports that prosecutors dismissed the case earlier this morning (December 14) in Manhattan Criminal Court, noting that they didn't have enough evidence to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
"This is great news for him and his family," Flanagan's lawyer Sean Parmenter said. "He feels vindicated."
It had initially been reported that the July 6 incident at New York's Webster Hall found Flanagan forcing his way backstage and into the band's dressing room, and then stabbed William Berario and Michael Couls with a hunting knife. During the incident, Flanagan also allegedly bit Berario on the face.
Shortly after being charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, Flanagan told his side of the story, claiming self-defence after being ambushed in an "old fashion biker beat down," by the band.
"When I saw that door get pulled shut I was literally fighting for my life," he said at the time. "I was afraid these guys were going to kick me half to death, roll me down the back steps and that no one would see it... and there would be no witnesses and that would be that."
Flanagan's legal team had long claimed that it would be hard for the District Attorney's Office to track down witnesses to build their case. The DA's Office has yet to comment on the dismissal of the charges.
