Manhattan DA Drops Case Against Woman Who Sucker-Punched Pro-Life Activist; Civil Suit Planned

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office quietly dismissed the second-degree assault case against Brianna J. Rivers in July, more than five months after the Bronx woman allegedly struck pro-life activist Savannah Craven Antao during a street interview in Harlem. The dismissal followed the DA’s acknowledgment of an “unacceptable error” in missing a deadline to hand over discovery materials to the defense, a misstep the office said it is reviewing internally.

The assault unfolded during an April street interview that was captured on video and circulated online. Craven Antao, a YouTube creator with Live Action, said she was interviewing Rivers about Planned Parenthood and abortion when tensions escalated, culminating in Rivers punching Craven Antao multiple times. Craven Antao sustained a black eye, a cut near her eyebrow requiring stitches, and ongoing pain and emotional distress, with medical bills exceeding $3,000.

The case was transferred to a different prosecutor at some point during proceedings, and the missed discovery deadline occurred after that transfer, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Manhattan DA’s office said it has begun “immediate internal steps in light” of the error and emphasized that every victim deserves their day in court while apologizing to Craven Antao for the mishap. A spokesperson added that the office notified Craven Antao of the dismissal and continues to review what happened in the discovery process.

In a separate development, the Chicago-based Thomas More Society—representing Craven Antao—said it intends to pursue a civil action against Rivers in the coming weeks. Christopher Ferrara, senior counsel for the group, criticized the outcome as evidence that accountability can be pursued through civil litigation when criminal charges falter. He told The Post that the dismissal was contingent on Rivers’ conduct and suggested that a more sincere acknowledgment of responsibility might have changed the trajectory of the case. Ferrara also criticized the DA’s office for not updating Craven Antao about the decision in a timely manner, noting that Rivers publicly celebrated the dismissal on social media.

The Thomas More Society said it plans to file the civil complaint on Craven Antao’s behalf, arguing that Rivers’ actions amounted to a civil wrong that warrants damages beyond the criminal case’s reach. Ferrara said the civil action would seek accountability for what he described as a wave of violence against those who share viewpoints that others oppose, underscoring the broader political climate surrounding abortion debates. Rivers has since posted multiple videos online celebrating the case’s dismissal and has not responded to requests for comment.

Craven Antao, who has continued to advocate on abortion-related issues, said she was surprised to learn of the case’s dismissal only after seeing Rivers’ social media posts. She described the episode as having caused lasting physical and emotional harm and reiterated her belief that she exercised her First Amendment rights in the interview. She commended the forthcoming civil action as a means to hold Rivers and others accountable for violence against opposing viewpoints.

The DA’s office confirmed it is reviewing the handling of the case but provided limited details beyond acknowledging the discovery error and offering apologies to Craven Antao. The office reiterated that victims deserve timely action and explained that the discovery process is a critical component of prosecuting assault cases, with delays potentially undermining the defense’s ability to respond.

The controversy surrounding the Rivers case has intensified scrutiny of how the DA’s office manages high-profile, politically charged incidents. Critics have argued that procedural missteps can derail prosecutions in cases that draw significant public attention, while supporters emphasize the need to safeguard fair trial standards and the integrity of the discovery process as investigations and prosecutions unfold. The DA’s office said it remains committed to due process and the protection of victims’ rights, emphasizing that internal reforms are underway to prevent similar errors in the future.

As Craven Antao moves forward with her civil claim, the legal landscape surrounding assaults tied to political and ideological speech remains unsettled. The case illustrates the tensions at the intersection of protest, media coverage, and the criminal justice system, and it underscores the potential pathways for accountability beyond criminal charges.