New York’s governor has questioned why the Manhattan district attorney released without bail a man who terrorized McDonald’s patrons with an ax.
Michael Palacios, a 31-year-old bike messenger, lunged wildly at the crowds inside a Lower East Side branch of the fast food chain at 2:30am on Friday.
He admitted he had been drinking, and said he was angry that people inside the restaurant laughed at him when a woman spurned his advances.
On Monday Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, questioned why Alvin Bragg did not order he be held pending trial.
Neither of the charges against him was eligible for bail under the state’s controversial bail reform laws.
Hochul said 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.
‘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.’