A man arrested by New York City police on Monday for allegedly assaulting former New York Gov. David Paterson and his son-in-law is claiming self-defense.
Officers took Traver Nurse, 40, from the 23rd Precinct in handcuffs on Monday. Asked by a reporter why he allegedly assaulted Patterson and his son-in-law, Nurse said, “He attacked me,” without specifying who he was referring to.
When asked what happened, the nurse said, “Look into my eyes,” and showed reporters his injuries before officers placed him in the back of a police car.
“My son punched me in the eye, but I defended myself,” the nurse said before the police officer closed the door.
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Traver Nurse, 40, is escorted from the 23rd Precinct in Manhattan, New York, on October 7, 2024. Nurse was charged over the weekend with assaulting former New York Governor David Paterson and his 20-year-old son-in-law Anthony Sliwa. (Barry Williams, Fox News Digital)
Patterson, 70, and her son-in-law Anthony Sliwa, 20, were attacked as they were walking on Manhattan's Upper East Side around 8:30 p.m. Friday. They were treated for minor injuries, police said.
A police spokeswoman said the nurse was charged with gang assault and assault, and another 34-year-old woman was also charged with gang assault.
It is not clear whether they have lawyers who can speak on their behalf.
Diamond Minter (34) is taken from the 23rd Precinct in Manhattan, New York, on October 7, 2024. Minter is being held on suspicion of assaulting former New York Governor David Paterson and his 20-year-old son-in-law Anthony Sliwa over the weekend. (Barry Williams, Fox News Digital)
“Governor Patterson and his family are pleased that the two adults have been captured. Friday night was a traumatic experience for the Governor and his son-in-law, and we look forward to bringing this all to an end as soon as possible.” A spokesperson for Governor Paterson said. Fox News Digital did not address Nurse's claim of self-defense in its statement.
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Their arrests come after two boys, aged 12 and 13, were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of gang assault in connection with the attack.
Traver Nurse said she acted in self-defense. (Barry Williams, Fox News Digital)
At a press conference Saturday afternoon, Patterson described the assault and said he and Sliwa fought off some of the attackers after getting into an altercation with some of them earlier in the evening.
On November 30, 2010, then-New York Governor David Paterson spoke in an interview. (AP Photo/Tim Roske/File)
Patterson said he suffered bruises and some pain in his head. Mr Patterson said Sliwa also suffered bruises and bruises and required five stitches to his lip.
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Patterson, a Democrat, served as governor from 2008 to 2010, taking over after Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a sex worker scandal.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
