Activist Who Rushed at Duchess of York Is Charged With Assault
- Share via
NEW YORK — An Irish-American activist who ran toward Britain’s Duchess of York while carrying a banner and shouting “murderer” was ordered held without bail Friday on assault charges, authorities said.
The duchess, the former Sarah Ferguson who is married to Prince Andrew, was not hurt Thursday night when the incident occurred as she was returning to her hotel after seeing a performance of “The Phantom of the Opera.”
U.S. Atty. Joan McPhee charged Michael Shanley, 22, of Manhattan, with assault and attempt to assault with a deadly weapon. Shanley was tackled by a federal agent about 15 feet from the duchess.
Shanley’s lawyer, Stephen Somerstein, called the charges “ludicrous,” and an “overreaction to a young man exercising his First Amendment rights.”
Somerstein said Shanley, an Irish-American “activist,” had participated in hundreds of peaceful demonstrations protesting the British rule of Northern Ireland and had never been arrested.
McPhee argued that Shanley was a dangerous threat to the community and posed a risk of flight.
About two dozen people had gathered outside the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to protest British rule of Northern Ireland.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
