Concert Pianist Says He Was Assaulted in NYC, but No Felony for Attacker
A Shocking Case of Violence
A concert pianist said he was violently assaulted in Manhattan over the summer, and claims the district attorney’s office refused to bring felony charges against his alleged attacker.
The Attack
Graphic surveillance video showed the attack on 53-year-old Derek Wieland, a concert pianist, in July 2024 on the Upper West Side following a verbal dispute.
”I was attacked from behind by surprise. Very violently,” Wieland told NBC New York in an exclusive interview. “The impact of the sidewalk had a huge amount of force, and then he pinned me down and started punching me repeatedly…He was not able to get hits on my face, so he pulled my arm back — tearing my rotator cuff. And [he] landed other punches.”
Charges and Aftermath
Police would charge 21-year-old Emerson Ionita, the son of a friend of Wieland’s with misdemeanor charges. The professional musician was left shocked Ionita would not face felony charges.
“I feel the attack was deliberate,” he said.
Wieland says the after he called 911, there was a second assault by Ionita several minutes later, one he called “particularly brutal.
“It was again at full speed and caused hip fractures, head impact,” Wieland told News 4.
Even though he said he never fought back, Wieland was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault. He was handcuffed for a couple of hours at the 24th precinct before being taken to the hospital, where he stayed for eight days.
“I’ll never regain the use of my right shoulder. The tendons are damaged. There was multiple damage to the skull,” said Wieland.
The criminal charges against Wieland were eventually dismissed, but he says he had to pay thousands of dollars for a defense attorney. He was out of work for months, and said he only recently has been able to play the piano again.
The DA’s Office
Ionita’s attorney told NBC New York that the video doesn’t tell the whole story, adding that Wieland’s team “tried to shake this kid down and were willing to drop the case” — something the musician denies.
Wieland told News 4 he heard nothing from the Manhattan DA’s office. His attorney recently told him Ionita will be able to plead guilty Wednesday to a single misdemeanor. If he finishes an anger management course, he will end up with only a violation.
“I think a violation is something that doesn’t appear on your record, and for a victim of violence, that’s another trauma,” said Wieland. “It says what happened to me is trivial. What happened to me doesn’t matter.”
Conclusion
This shocking case has left Wieland feeling frustrated, angry, and hopeless about the justice system. He believes that the Manhattan DA’s office did not take his case seriously and that he was not treated fairly. This incident highlights the importance of supporting victims of violence and ensuring that they receive justice.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Derek Wieland?
A: Derek Wieland, a concert pianist, was violently assaulted in Manhattan over the summer. He was attacked by 21-year-old Emerson Ionita, who was charged with misdemeanor assault.
Q: Why were no felony charges filed against Ionita?
A: The Manhattan DA’s office claimed that there wasn’t enough evidence to bring a felony assault case.
Q: What happened to Wieland after the attack?
A: Wieland was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault. He was eventually released and underwent surgery for his injuries. The criminal charges against him were eventually dismissed, but he had to pay thousands of dollars for a defense attorney.
Q: What does Wieland think about the DA’s office’s handling of the case?
A: Wieland is frustrated and angry about the lack of charges filed against Ionita and the handling of his own case. He believes that the DA’s office did not take his case seriously and that he was not treated fairly.
