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Prosecutors: Not enough evidence to prove Wisconsin attack of biracial woman

Lighter Fluid Attack
AP
In this undated photo provided by the family of Althea Bernstein shows Bernstein on a fishing outing in Madison, Wisc. On Wednesday, June 24, 2020 four white men sprayed her with lighter fluid and threw a lighter at her, setting her on fire as she was driving in downtown Madison, Wis., during protests that she was not a part of. Bernstein, who is studying to become an paramedic, drove away and patted out the flames. She visited an emergency room later that night, where she said health care workers had to scrub her skin off. She said she will eventually need plastic surgery. Authorities as investigating the incident as a hate crime. (Photo courtesy of family of Althea Bernstein via AP)
Lighter Fluid Attack
Posted at 10:52 AM, Oct 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-02 11:52:41-04

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say there's not enough evidence to prove that a young biracial woman was set on fire during protest in Wisconsin this summer.

Eighteen-year-old Althea Bernstein alleged that four white men walked up to her car during a June 24 protest in Madison, sprayed her with lighter fluid and tossed a flaming lighter at her — setting her neck and face on fire.

Lighter Fluid Attack
In this undated photo provided by the family of Althea Bernstein shows the burns on Bernstein's face an neck after four white men sprayed her with lighter fluid and threw a lighter at her, setting her on fire as she was driving in downtown Madison, Wis., during protests that she was not a part of early Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Bernstein, who is studying to become an paramedic, drove away and patted out the flames. She visited an emergency room later that night, where she said health care workers had to scrub her skin off. She said she will eventually need plastic surgery. Authorities as investigating the incident as a hate crime. (Photo courtesy of family of Althea Bernstein via AP)

The U.S. attorney’s office in Madison said in a statement Friday that a team of federal and state investigators conducted interviews and reviewed traffic cameras but couldn't come up with enough evidence to prove that the attack occurred.

Bernstein’s family issued a statement, saying she is healing and they appreciate investigators’ work.

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Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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