State prosecutors have dropped charges against conservative political blogger Javier Manjarres, alleging his accuser had stopped cooperating with them.
Manjarres, author of the Shark Tank blog, was arrested last month for attempted murder with a gun and for burglary of a conveyance with battery after an alleged incident with his sister’s boyfriend, Jason Holowinski.
Politico reported Monday charges had been dropped because Holowinski refused to cooperate with Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg’s office in the case.
“Victim failed to cooperate by refusing to identify to view a lineup,” Assistant State Attorney Chris L. Rogers wrote in a court document dated Monday.
According to the a police report, Manjarres allegedly broke his sister's boyfriend's nose and shot his truck during an altercation. Manjarres' sister and her boyfriend, Jason Holowinski, had an argument which turned heated when she said he grabbed her neck during the argument then dropped her off at the Palmetto Park Shopping Center in Boca Raton.
Later, Manjarres' sister told Holowinski to pick her up and he pulled up next to her and opened up the passenger door. Manjarres then appeared, stepping into Holowinski's truck and hit him four to five times, according to a police report.
Holowinski said he saw Manjarres reach for something in his waistband and then he reversed to speed off. Holowinski then said he struck Manjarres' car and heard three gunshots. Holowinski then headed to his brother's house and was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Tamarac.
When police showed up at Manjarres' house in Pompano Beach, they saw his damaged car and arrested him.
Manjarres was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail and as Sunshine State News first reported, he posted a $100,000 bond several days later.
Manjarres told Sunshine State News he was going to focus on this year’s upcoming elections now that he’s free of the charges.
“I’ve been moving forward, nothing’s changed,” he said. “[To] any naysayers, I would say, before jumping to conclusions, get all the facts straight before making any ignorant statements or assertions or judgment calls.”
Manjarres thanked law enforcement for their good work on his case.
“I’m glad it’s over and I wanted to thank the law enforcement involved for treating me with respect and professionalism,” he told SSN. “I’m happy it’s over.”
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
