Woman arrested for allegedly punching two NYPD officers during 'mostly peaceful' Tyre Nichols protest — and she's reportedly released without bail

A woman arrested for allegedly punching two New York City police officers during a Times Square protest over the death of Tyre Nichols was released without bail, the New York Post reported.

What's the background?

Nichols — a 29-year-old black man — was hospitalized after being pulled over Jan. 7 for reckless driving in Memphis and being abused by arresting officers. He died from his injuries three days later. After an internal investigation, five black officers were fired for violating department policies, arrested, and booked into jail. Each officer was charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct, and official oppression.

What are the details of the NYC protest arrest?

The paper said prosecutors from District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office did not object to Candy Nicole, 25, being released on her own recognizance after a Manhattan Criminal court appearance Saturday.

An attorney for Nicole claimed her client was a victim of “unnecessary police force” during Friday night's protest, the Post reported, adding that lawyer Caroline Glickler said Nicole “maintains her innocence."

Friday evening, authorities in Memphis released video of Nichols' beating as officials braced for rioting not just locally but around the country.

As for Nicole, the paper — citing the NYPD — said she was arrested in October following an alleged “forcible touching” incident in Harlem during which she grabbed her male partner’s testicles during an argument.

Nicole is due back in court March 20 in connection with her Times Square assault charge, the Post said. She also wasn't living at the East 28th Street address she gave police, the paper added, citing residents of the building.

'Career criminal' stomps on cop car windshield

The Post said a "career criminal with a violent past" was arrested during the protest after allegedly smashing the windshield of an NYPD police cruiser with his foot.

Argenis Rivera, 33, faces a criminal mischief charge for destroying the windshield, the paper said, but he was held on $10,000 bail after authorities called attention to his October arrest for allegedly strangling a mother who was pushing her 2-year-old in a stroller in Chelsea and then assaulting another woman.

A lawyer for Rivera asked for house arrest and electronic monitoring if he's released, the Post reported, adding that a judge agreed.

Rivera has 13 prior arrests, the paper said, adding that his parents — who would not give their names — said their son “always did what he wanted” as a child and was “difficult to control."

In the October incident, Rivera allegedly punched the mom in the face and began choking her while screaming, “I am not letting go until police come! … I want to die by police," the Post said.

Rivera then turned to a woman sitting on a nearby bench, pressed keys to her throat, said, “Go ahead call the cops I don’t care,” and then punched her and pinned her to the ground, the paper said, citing the NYPD.

Sources added to the Post that Rivera has a history of psychiatric issues and was also charged in August with punching a doorman at a Midtown building — but was released because the assault charge isn't eligible for bail under the state’s criminal justice reforms.

Manhattan resident Katherine Stone, 34, was accused of defacing a police cruiser and issued a desk appearance ticket for criminal mischief and possessing graffiti tools, authorities told the paper. The Post said Stone didn't return messages.

'Mostly peaceful'

Here's a news video showing the protest; an off-camera reporter characterizes it as "mostly peaceful." Another video news report from a different NYC network also describes the protest as "mostly peaceful":

Protesters surround NYPD vehicle in Times Squarewww.youtube.com

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