A state senator accused of battering a New York Post photographer is still facing seven years in jail — despite desperate efforts by his legal team to cut a deal.
Sen. Kevin Parker was all grins as he was arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court on a felony assault charge yesterday for allegedly beating shutterbug William Lopez in May. He broke Lopez’s finger and damaged his camera and car as the newsman worked on a story about the Brooklyn pol’s $610,000 home going into foreclosure, authorities say.
After weeks of behind-the-scenes talks with prosecutors, the Democrat’s legal team was confident the charge would be downgraded to a misdemeanor — enabling him to keep his seat in Albany while undergoing anger-management training.
But yesterday, the Brooklyn DA’s Office said it was backing away from making a deal.
“We will not agree to any plea deal without the victim’s consent,” said a spokesman for the DA.
“If Mr. Lopez objects to it, there will be no deal. From discussions with him so far, it is obvious he does object.”
Lopez was told earlier this week that the Democrat could avoid jail time.
“It sounds like a slap on the wrist, and that slap on the wrist is a slap in the face to me,” the photographer said.
Asked outside court if he still hoped the felony charge would be downgraded, Parker said, “We’ll see what happens.”