As Charla Nash continues her remarkable recovery from the brutal, life-threatening attack at the hands of Travis the Chimp - who ripped off her lips, nose, eyes and fingers - the State of Connecticut has decided that no criminal charges will be filed against the owner of the Chimp, Sandra Herold.
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"Sandra Herold did not act criminally" said State Attorney David Cohen, who also added that the decision not to prosecute Sandra Herold "does not in any way minimize the horror that we all feel with what occurred and with the horrendous injuries suffered by Ms. Nash. Our prayers go out to her and her family."
Charla Nash's family said they understood the decision and are "at peace" with it. They said it does not affect the civil lawsuits that are pending. The family is suing Sandra Herold for $50 million and plan to sue the state of Connecticut for $150 million.
"A criminal prosecution could not undo what happened to Charla nor would it provide any measure of relief or assistance to her," the family said in a statement issued through their attorney, Matt Newman. "The family remains focused on what is most important, and that is the continued care and rehabilitation of Charla."
Charla Nash, who was severely crippled by the attack of the 200-pound Travis the Chimp, is blind and drinks her meals “with a straw through a small hole where her mouth used to be.” She has a large scar near the bottom of her face and a large piece of skin where her nose had been. The chimpanzee ripped off Nash’s hands, nose, lips and eyelids. She recently revealed her heavily disfigured face on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and NBC's "TODAY" show and remains in stable condition at the Cleveland Clinic.
