Charges dismissed against man who killed wife's attacker

BRONX, NY (KTRK) -- Authorities have dropped charges against a man accused in the fatal beating of another man who police said was trying to rape his wife.

Prosecutors read a letter written by family members of the victim, Earl Nash, in which they asked the court to dismiss all charges against Mamadou Diallo, 61.

Nash's parents said their son had mental problems and abused drugs. They argued that prosecuting Diallo would cause more pain for both families.

Prosecutors initially charged Diallo with manslaughter in May after he admitted to fatally beating Nash with a tire-iron. He said Nash broke into his apartment and attempted to sexually assault his wife. Surveillance video recorded much of the incident, and prosecutors later reduced the charge to assault.

"Some people tell me I'm a killer," Diallo said Wednesday. "It's hard for me. I did nothing wrong."

Diallo's wife Nenegale was at home when she answered a knock at her door and Nash allegedly pushed his way in, attacked her, pulled his pants down and tore off her clothes, according to authorities.

Her sister was in a back room of the apartment and broke up the attack, and Nenegale then called her husband.

Diallo caught Nash as he was running away, and a fight broke out, according to authorities. Diallo beat Nash with a tire iron in an elevator, according to authorities. He died a short time later at a hospital. An autopsy determined his death was caused by complications related to his injuries, cocaine intoxication and heart disease.

Nash had been arrested 19 times before on charges including robbery, arson, assault, and more.

News12 reports that Diallo said he is looking forward to returning to work as a cab driver.