NY guv Kathy Hochul outraged over letting ax-wielding man walk free, questions 'woke' Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: Kathy Hochul, NY Governor has expressed shock and questioned the handling of Michael Palacios's case, who stormed into a McDonald’s and terrorized people with an ax. The incident took place on September 16, inside a Lower East Side branch of the restaurant at around 2 am, when the man allegedly lunged at patrons and threatened the woman who "rejected him."
Palacios had later admitted that he had been drinking, and was anguished at people for laughing at him when his advances were spurned by the woman. The Governor hit out at Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, and questioned why the man was not told "he be held pending trial." The authorities had released Palacios, on the next day, who was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief and criminal possession of a weapon.
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@CrimeInNYC NYC always good for some chaotic mayhem. He didn’t hurt anybody, but could have been ugly ! pic.twitter.com/I6WvqROuGR
— Shakes Mcgoo (@McgooShakes) September 17, 2022
What bothered Hochul is that Palacios wasn’t eligible for bail under the state’s controversial bail reform laws. “There were many players in a criminal justice system, starting with the arresting officers who determine which charge to bring, as well as the district attorney, who will decide whether or not to stay with that course or have an up-charge from what is recommended,” Hochul said.
She added, “We're actually asking what the thought process was and the decisions that were just made because we have a question about it. Because they have the discretion to charge in a different way that would make them bail-eligible.'
Palacios said after the incident, “My intentions were not to hurt anyone. My intentions were not to put anyone in the hospital or dice anybody up. The reason why I pulled out the hatchet was, 'Ok, I'm gonna get back at these guys.”
He went on, “I'm gonna make sure that they don't jump me again. I wanted to intimidate them. Also, I wanted to show them that the ax was real. Like, it's not a toy.” “I'm just a regular guy, dude. No military training. I'm not unhinged, I'm not psychotic, Palacios claimed.”
Lee Zeldin, who is Hochul’s Republican rival said, “You could see the fear in the eyes of other people who are here at this McDonald's just a few days ago. The individual who ends up arrested is instantly released back out on the street because the crimes he was charged with are not eligible.”
“This is exactly why judges should have discretion to weigh dangerousness. Right now there should be a special session in Albany. They could do this tomorrow. This is not a Republican vs. Democrat issue," she further added.