Abraham Chabon, son of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon, will no longer be facing charges of rape in his ongoing sexual assault case, according to statements made by Manhattan prosecutors in court this Monday. However, he will still contend with a strangulation charge.
Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Phoebe Rosenfeld explained that the first-degree rape charge was dropped as prosecutors “cannot prove that charge beyond a reasonable doubt.” This decision was presented before Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Kacie Lally.
Despite fully believing the victim’s account, prosecutors indicated that the charge was dismissed due to the constraints of New York state law.
Chabon remains accused of strangulation and could face additional charges such as third-degree assault, as noted by the prosecution.
After the court appearance, his attorney, Isabelle Kirshner, expressed satisfaction over the dismissal of the rape charge, stating it could not be “sustained.”
“We appreciate the DA’s office for their thorough examination of the evidence in this case, leading to the dismissal of a charge that could not be upheld,” Kirshner remarked. “We remain optimistic about the ongoing process and trust it will conclude correctly.”
Initially charged on June 12 with first-degree rape and second-degree strangulation, Chabon allegedly attacked a woman on January 25, 2024, on East 12th Street, where he reportedly choked and assaulted her while engaging in sexual acts.
Prosecutors claimed that he had pinned the victim by the neck, obstructing her airflow, before transporting her to a bed where he supposedly raped her and violently hit her “numerous times in the face.”
Michael Chabon, known for his acclaimed novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001, is also the author of notable works such as “Wonder Boys,” “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh,” “Moonglow,” and “Telegraph Avenue.”
Abraham Chabon was released on a $45,000 bail following his arraignment on June 13.
If convicted on the strangulation charge, he faces a minimum prison sentence of two years, with a possibility of up to seven years in custody.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on November 20.
