Startling turn of events in NYC subway shoving incident due to lenient judge
A judge in New York City, with just 13 months of experience on the bench, has released at least three individuals – including the suspect accused of pushing a woman into a moving subway train this week – as reported by The Post.
Judge Marva Brown released Markeese Brazelis on a third-degree sexual abuse charge despite eligibility for bail, after he allegedly groped a woman at a C train platform at West 50th Street and Eighth Avenue. Just days after being released, Brazelis, 26, is accused of shoving a 23-year-old woman into a speeding A train at a Washington Heights subway station. Prosecutors reported that Brazelis admitted he was under the influence and angry during the attack.
MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber expressed concerns over the judge’s decisions, stating that releasing violent criminals back onto the streets poses a real danger to New Yorkers. The Manhattan DA’s Office explained that bail was not requested in the sexual abuse case due to Brazelis’ limited criminal history, although he had been previously charged with trespassing.
This pattern of releasing violent offenders without bail is not unique to Judge Brown. In prior cases, she released individuals with histories of violence, such as Amira Hunter who assaulted a subway cellist and Bryant Kenyatta who allegedly attacked a podcaster with nunchucks.
Critics argue that Judge Brown’s leniency disregards public safety and allows dangerous individuals to harm others in the city. Despite being relatively new to the bench, Brown’s decisions have raised concerns about the impact on public safety.
Elected in November 2023, Judge Brown serves on the Brooklyn Civil Court and has garnered endorsements from liberal politicians, including her background as a former Legal Aid attorney.
In the aftermath of her victory, progressive City Councilmember Chi Osse (D-Brooklyn) received accolades from various prominent figures, including state Assemblyman Brian Cunningham and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. Osse’s district intersects with Community Board 8, where the esteemed Marva Brown, also known as Marva Brown-Henry, once served as a member. Praising Osse as an “amazing” and “indispensable community member,” Brown herself currently holds the esteemed position of a city Civil Court judge, with a taxpayer-funded salary amounting to $216,400. As per a spokesperson for the Office of Court Administration, Brown is currently fulfilling duties at Manhattan Criminal Court to assist with the court’s operational requirements.
In a recent incident, Brown was faced with a request from prosecutors to impose a $15,000 cash bail on Amira Hunter, who had assaulted a cellist with a metal bottle at a Midtown subway station. Despite this, Brown maintained her stance on fairness and impartiality in a video interview during her 2021 campaign for a Brooklyn Civil Court judgeship, expressing her commitment to providing individuals with the necessary tools and opportunities to make positive changes.
Notably, New York stands as the sole state where judges are restricted from considering a defendant’s level of danger in bail determinations, a circumstance that has raised concerns among legal experts and victim advocacy groups. Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, a former senior trial counsel at the Manhattan DA’s Office, emphasized the potential impact of judges factoring in the criminal histories of repeat offenders when setting bail, as it could potentially deter them from reoffending due to the threat of more severe consequences.
Despite criticisms and frustrations surrounding bail decisions, particularly in cases involving violent recidivists, the Office of Court Administration refrained from commenting on individual judges’ rulings, asserting that bail determinations are made by judges based on a thorough evaluation of the defendant’s flight risk. However, amidst growing calls for accountability and transparency in the judicial system, challenges persist in holding judges accountable for their decisions and the potential implications on public safety.
Requests for comments from Marva Brown on these matters went unanswered at the time of reporting.
