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Ethnic Intimidation Charge Dropped For Man Accused Of Attacking Muslim Woman

MASON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Prosecutors have dropped a charge of ethnic intimidation against a 29-year-old man accused in an attack on a Muslim woman.

Jonathan Deuel still faces a misdemeanor assault and battery charge after the felony charge was dismissed Thursday.

An Ingham County prosecutor says there were problems with evidence that would hinder prosecution of the felony charge. He says a conversation with the victim's clergy also informed the decision, but he declined to comment further.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the incident happened around 12:30 p.m. July 19 when the 26-year-old woman was walking with her 5-year-old daughter in a shopping mall parking lot in Meridian Township.

A council spokesperson said the suspects, two men and a woman, attempted to pull the victim's dress and face veil off before knocking her down and shouting obscenities at her. CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said the woman was hospitalized for 36 hours after the attack for chest pain and numbness in her left arm.

When announcing the charges against Deuel, Meridian Township Police Lt. Greg Frenger said the investigation did not show that anyone else should be charged, although he declined to discuss Deuel's role in the incident.

Deuel's attorney said his client maintains his innocence. A court date has not yet been set.

MORE: Group Says Attack On Muslim Woman At Michigan Mall Is A Hate Crime

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