FILE © Michael Brochstein
NEW YORK (77WABC) — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday slammed charges brought against the NYC’s infamous “ax man” as too light — despite ignoring calls to remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg who is seen as “soft-on-crime.”
During a news conference, Hochul said she wanted to know why alleged attacker Michael Palacios was only charged with offenses that led him to be released without bail.
“There are 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 upcharge from what is recommended,” Hochul said. “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.”
Back in January, Hochul threatened to remove Bragg from office amid the outrage over the “Day One” memo in which he ordered Manhattan prosecutors to only seek bail and prison sentences in cases involving homicides and other serious crimes, but soon walked back the warning.
