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A Nassau County judge cited “procedural grounds” for dismissing the misdemeanor assault charges against Kimberly Gotti, age 55, and Gianna Gotti, age 23, on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
“We await the judge’s written decision and will review our options,” a spokesperson for the DA’s office told Daily Voice.
The fight broke out in the Oyster Bay village of Lattingtown, during a basketball game at Locust Valley High School against visiting Oyster Bay High School, on Thursday, Feb. 8.
Kimberly and Gianna were arrested after allegedly punching the mother of another player because the woman purportedly yelled insults at Kimberly’s son, according to court documents cited by CBS News.
The victim told police that her wig was also pulled off during the attack.
In dismissing the charges, the judge sided with the Gottis’ attorney, Gerard Marrone, who had argued that the Nassau County DA’s office failed to turn over evidence in a timely manner, News 4 New York reports.
"It’s our constitutional right to get it in a timely manner and it wasn’t given to us as the defense team, and that’s why the case was dismissed," Marrone told reporters outside the courtroom.
John Gotti Jr. also defended his wife and daughter outside court, denying accusations that Gianna – a former guard on the Brooklyn College women’s basketball team – had made racist remarks during the fight.
"My daughter's teammates that she played basketball with her, all Black. Her best friends are all Black,” Gotti said. “How dare you do that? How dare anybody do that?
Gianna also addressed reporters, saying she felt “great” about the judge’s decision.
“I can’t wait to go home and tell my mom and tell her the news.”
John Gotti Jr. was the acting boss of the Gambino crime family after his father, John Gotti – also known as “Teflon Don” – was sentenced to life in prison following convictions on five counts of murder and related charges in 1992.
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