This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/nyregion/nyc-subway-stabbing-charges.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Man Charged With Manslaughter After Subway Stabbing Man Charged With Manslaughter After Subway Stabbing
(about 2 hours later)
A Queens man was charged with stabbing and killing a man during a dispute on a New York City subway train on Tuesday night in Brooklyn, the police said.A Queens man was charged with stabbing and killing a man during a dispute on a New York City subway train on Tuesday night in Brooklyn, the police said.
The man, Jordan Williams, 20, stabbed the victim, Devictor Ouedraogo, 36, on a northbound J train, the police said. Officers found Mr. Ouedraogo, a Brooklyn resident, on the platform at the Marcy Avenue station in Williamsburg at around 8 p.m. with a stab wound to his chest. He was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he died.The man, Jordan Williams, 20, stabbed the victim, Devictor Ouedraogo, 36, on a northbound J train, the police said. Officers found Mr. Ouedraogo, a Brooklyn resident, on the platform at the Marcy Avenue station in Williamsburg at around 8 p.m. with a stab wound to his chest. He was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he died.
Mr. Williams was arrested and charged on Wednesday with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. A woman who was taken into custody along with Mr. Williams was released. Mr. Williams was arrested and charged on Wednesday with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. A woman who was taken into custody along with Mr. Williams was released. She has not been identified.
Before the men’s encounter, Mr. Ouedraogo had gotten into a dispute with passengers on the train, including Mr. Williams’s girlfriend, according to law enforcement sources.Before the men’s encounter, Mr. Ouedraogo had gotten into a dispute with passengers on the train, including Mr. Williams’s girlfriend, according to law enforcement sources.
The episode came about six weeks after the fatal choking of Jordan Neely, a street performer who was homeless, on an F train, and again drew attention to the endemic problem of safety underground. “It’s upsetting to see that Mr. Williams is even being charged without a thorough investigation,” Jason Goldman, a lawyer who said he is representing Mr. Williams, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “We already know that the victim punched Mr. Williams’s girlfriend and menaced passengers.”
Mr. Neely, a dancer and artist known for his impersonation of Michael Jackson, was “making threats and scaring passengers” on the train, according to prosecutors, when another man, Daniel Penny, came up from behind and placed him in a chokehold. The Manhattan district attorney’s office charged Mr. Penny with second-degree manslaughter a week after the killing. Mr. Ouedraogo’s killing was at least the fifth in the city’s subway system this year. It came about six weeks after the fatal choking of Jordan Neely, a former street performer who was homeless, on an F train, and again drew attention to the endemic problem of safety underground.
Mr. Neely, who had once been a dancer and artist known for his impersonation of Michael Jackson but had been battling severe mental illness in recent years, was “making threats and scaring passengers” on the train, according to prosecutors, when another man, Daniel Penny, came up from behind and placed him in a chokehold. The Manhattan district attorney’s office charged Mr. Penny with second-degree manslaughter a week after the killing.
“Is Mr. Williams not getting the same treatment that Mr. Penny received — released, voluntary surrender, and low bail — because his skin color is different and he comes from a particular neighborhood?” Mr. Goldman asked in his statement. Mr. Goldman said that the case of Mr. Williams, who is Black, was one of “clear self-defense,” an argument that Mr. Penny, who is white, and his lawyers have also used.
Mr. Williams’s grandmother, Nettie Willis, said in a phone interview that she believed her grandson acted in self-defense, although she has not spoken with him since the incident.
“Jordan would never get up and bother anyone unless they were bothering him first,” said Ms. Willis, who lives in Alabama. “He doesn’t even argue with people.” She described her grandson as gentle and dutiful to his mother, whom he lives with and helps pay bills.
Attempts to reach relatives of Mr. Ouedraogo on Wednesday were unsuccessful.
Although the chances of falling victim to crime in the subway are statistically low, New Yorkers have been shaken by cases of violence in recent years as the system has struggled to rebound to prepandemic levels of ridership.Although the chances of falling victim to crime in the subway are statistically low, New Yorkers have been shaken by cases of violence in recent years as the system has struggled to rebound to prepandemic levels of ridership.
In recent months, officers on the subways have detained significantly more people for breaking the law. Police statistics show there were about 4,000 arrests in the transit system from January through April of this year, compared with nearly 3,000 arrests during the same period in 2022.In recent months, officers on the subways have detained significantly more people for breaking the law. Police statistics show there were about 4,000 arrests in the transit system from January through April of this year, compared with nearly 3,000 arrests during the same period in 2022.
Sheelagh McNeill contributed research. Andy Newman contributed reporting. Sheelagh McNeill contributed research.