NYPD officers were attacked in three separate incidents in as many days – and two of the accused attackers were released without bail by a Manhattan judge on Monday – amid a worrying rise in violence against police.
Schmar Green, 28, and David Daniels, 34, were granted supervised release by Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Valentina Morales, over the objection of prosecutors, after allegedly coming after police on the subway system over the weekend.
But Morales set bail at $10,000 for Michael Thomas, 24, of Great Neck, Long Island, who is accused of covering an officer’s face in Times Square shortly after midnight Sunday.
The arresting officer said that Thomas had aggressively pursued him and another police officer patrolling the area, claiming it was his First Amendment right to follow them, according to court documents.
After being warned twice to back off, Thomas persisted, continued to follow the officers “for several minutes” and said it was his right because they were public servants, the criminal complaint alleges.
Officers asked him to stop, but Thomas instead allegedly punched one of them in the face, causing bleeding, swelling, redness and severe pain, police said.
Schmar Green, 28, was arrested for assaulting a police officer on February 4 and released without bail a day later. Steven Hirsch
In asking that bail be set at $20,000 cash or $60,000 bond, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Thomas had previously been cited twice for missing court dates, and also had prior criminal convictions including one felony and one misdemeanor, though details of the case were not released. immediately known.
Morales instead set a lower bail amount, sending Thomas to Rikers Island until at least his next court date on Friday on a charge of second-degree assault on a police officer.
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Prosecutors have also asked for bail in two other cases, including $20,000 cash or bond for Green, who was arrested just before 3 a.m. Sunday when officers responded to a radio call about an emotionally disturbed person at the 81st Street–Natural History Museum. station on the Upper West Side.
Police approached Green, who became aggressive and began to push away, the NYPD said.
David Daniels, 34, of Brooklyn, is accused of assaulting an officer who asked him to leave a northbound C train on February 2. He was released without bail on February 5. Steven Hirsch “As we saw here today, a judge acquitted two individuals who attacked New York City police officers on the streets of New York City,” said the head of the Police Welfare Association union, Patrick Hendry. Steven Hirsch
He ended up elbowing one of the officers in the left side of the face, police said. The policeman was treated at a local hospital and released.
Green is charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct and is due back in court March 13.
His current address is NYC’s ROW Hotel on 8th Avenue, which is now used as a migrant shelter. However, police would not confirm whether he was an immigrant.
Green’s attorney, Eliza Orlins with the Legal Aid Society, praised the judge’s decision not to set bail, noting that her client had shown up to five previous court summonses and had never had a bench warrant issued against him.
Jandry Barros, left, and Yohenry Brito were brought to the Manhattan Courthouse for arraignment. Steven Hirsch
He also referred to a March 2002 New York Post article that hailed Green as a “little hero” for warning neighbors in his apartment building about the fire that eventually claimed the lives of his mother, sister and brother.
“Mr. Green has been through a lot, but he certainly understands the charges against him,” Orlins told the court. “Any financial bail would cause Mr. Green undue hardship.”
Prosecutors have asked that Daniels’ bail be set at $7,500 cash or $25,000 bond on the charge of second-degree assault on a police officer.
Daniels, of Brooklyn, allegedly assaulted police when they asked him to leave the decommissioned northbound C train around 11:30 p.m. Friday, sending one to Columbia Hospital to be treated for minor injuries, police said.
A New York City police officer was punched in the face by a 24-year-old man. Queens Media NYC / Instagram NYPD officers have been attacked in three separate incidents in as many days — and two of the accused attackers were released without bail by a Manhattan judge on Monday. Queens Media NYC / Instagram
Speaking outside the courtroom after Daniels and Green were granted supervised release, Police Benevolent Association union boss Patrick Hendry lamented the rise in violence against New York’s Finest.
“Police officers are attacked every day all over this city,” he said.
“We cannot allow this attack to become another statistic. We need all New Yorkers to stand with us, to demand better from the criminal justice system.”
He urged residents who support the police to call their elected leaders to “demand change in this system,” which Hendry called “broken at every step.”
An officer who patrols Times Square said sometimes that rough stuff only happens with the province wearing badges and uniforms. Steven Hirsch
He continued: “As we see here today, a judge has allowed two individuals who attacked New York City police officers to return to the streets of New York City.”
When asked what the punishment should be for assaulting a police officer, Hendry said flatly, “They should be in jail.”
Officials are on edge following a recent wave of attacks, including a disturbing incident late last month in which a group of cowardly migrants jumped a pair of policemen near Times Square, beating them after they fell to the ground.
The two policemen who were attacked, who have not been identified, suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene. One suffered cuts on the face while the other had bruises on the body, according to sources.
Speaking to officials in the Times Square area Monday, some considered the surge in violence just part of the job, while others warned continued laxity at the judicial level for suspects who attack police would eventually lead to consequences.
An officer who patrols Times Square said sometimes that rough stuff only happens with the province wearing badges and uniforms.
“It’s a dangerous job. It is always a dangerous job.”
Another high-ranking official, flanked by two police patrols with M4 rifles and helmets in Times Square, warned there would be “more and more violence” against the NYPD, which could lead to an exodus of experienced police.
“You will see more police going. And trust me, trained officers, those who can get jobs outside of the NYPD, they are not the cops you want to leave.
Additional reporting by Kevin Sheehan Joe Marino
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
