In a recent incident on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, two individuals, Diamond Minter and Travor Nurse, have pleaded not guilty to felony assault charges related to an altercation involving former New York Governor David Paterson and his stepson, Anthony Sliwa.
The fracas reportedly began when Sliwa, 20, confronted a group of youths who were climbing on a structure outside his residence. Later, Paterson and Sliwa encountered the same group outside a McDonald’s, leading to further tensions. Prosecutors allege that Minter and Nurse intervened, with Nurse allegedly attacking Sliwa and also striking Paterson. Minter is accused of restraining Sliwa while other youths participated in the assault.
Defense attorneys claim that their clients were attempting to diffuse the situation, stating that they believed they were helping to protect the younger individuals involved. Nurse’s lawyer highlighted that his client ended up being attacked while trying to intervene.
Paterson, who served as governor from 2008 to 2010, expressed that the incident was traumatic for him and his family but is hopeful that justice will prevail. Minter was released on supervised release, while Nurse’s bail was set at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond. Both are scheduled to return to court on Friday.