Graphic Video in Story-Two men charged with attacking a Bronx police office at a subway station – and, apparently, caught on video – were set free, without bail, by a New York judge on Tuesday.
Prosecutors had requested bail be set at either $10,000 or $30,000 bond, but Judge Eugene Bowen wielded his power, granted by New York’s bail reform law, to deny the request and release the suspects without bail.
Officer John Hernandez was beaten on Monday after he asked three men at a subway to stop smoking. Two were arrested and the third fled.
Even though the two men were charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, violation of local law and trespassing, Judge Bowen chose to deny the request for bail.
“Unbelievable: Bronx judge frees men charged with beating up NYPD officer — despite DA’s request for $10K bail,” New York City’s Police Benevolent Association (PBA) posted on social media, embedding images of the attack.
“Our streets and subways won’t be safe if the cops protecting them aren’t safe,” PBA President Patrick Hendry added. The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York represents more than fifty thousand active and retired New York City police officers.
Unbelievable: Bronx judge frees men charged with beating up NYPD officer — despite DA’s request for $10K bail
— NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) November 16, 2023
Hendry: “Our streets and subways won’t be safe if the cops protecting them aren’t safe.”https://t.co/GlLOUGCXrN
“We need New Yorkers to start speaking up and demanding real consequences for those who assault cops. Our streets and subways won’t be safe if the cops protecting them aren’t safe,” Hendry warned in a separate comment criticizing the judge’s decision.
“The assaults on police officers is what’s driving the assault crimes in the subway system,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard said in an interview discussing the attack with Fox 5 New York.
Attacks on New York City police officers have been skyrocketing, surging 21% so far this year, compared to the same period in 2022.
Compared to 2019, assaults on the city’s police officers are up 41%.
Warning: Graphic Video Presented Below.