NEW YORK – The mayor of New York, Eric Adams, came out in defense, like many New Yorkers, of a Dominican, manager of a warehouse in Upper Manhattan, who was charged with murder for stabbing another man to death who jumped the counter and attacked him.
Jose Alba was silent Thursday as he returned home after being released on bail after nearly a week on Riker’s Island. His bail was reduced from a quarter of a million dollars to $50,000. As part of his release, Alba was forced to surrender his passport, remain in all five boroughs, and submit to electronic surveillance.
The 61-year-old is facing murder charges after police say he fatally stabbed a man inside a warehouse in the Hamilton Heights section. However, there is growing outrage over his arrest, with many wondering: Was it murder or self-defense?
Surveillance video from inside the Blue Moon Warehouse on Broadway near 139th Street shows Austin Simon, 35, bursting behind the counter and pushing Alba against a wall. Moments later, a fight breaks out and Alba picks up a knife and stabs Simon at least three times.
“My thoughts are with this hard-working and honest New Yorker who was doing his job at his workplace, where a person came in and got behind the counter and attacked him,” Democratic Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday, who nonetheless, he avoided criticizing prosecutors.
THE FACTS THAT LEADED TO THE DISPUTE
Investigators said the fight started after Simon’s girlfriend tried to pay for an item, but her card was declined.
Alba would have told the woman that the card had no funds and she went to tell Simon. He came back enraged and invaded the space behind the grocer’s counter to attack him a few minutes later.
The winemaker took a knife and stabbed Simon three times during the struggle.
Paramedics transported Simon to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
THE CHARGES AGAINST WINERY MANAGER JOSIT IS ALBA
The Manhattan Prosecutor’s Office charged Alba with second-degree murder on Saturday and requested bail of $500,000, which was finally set by the judge at $250,000, and was lowered to $50,000 on Thursday after a negotiation between prosecutors and lawyers.
Alba’s lawyers and relatives have pointed out that he is a working father with no criminal history, and figures such as former Republican mayoral candidate and founder of the Guardian Angels urban patrol, Curtis Sliwa, gathered in his defense.
Shows of support for Alba rained down on social networks after the tragic event and in the midst of a crisis of violence that is plaguing New York City.
ABOUT AUSTIN SIMON
Austin Simon was not unknown in court, he had a history of arrests for robbery and assault.
He was on probation after several years in jail for assaulting a police officer, but his relatives assured the media that he was a good man and a good father.
THE SUPPORT OF MAYOR ADAMS
“It’s time for New Yorkers and Americans to start standing up for people who follow the law. And that’s what I’m going to do,” the mayor said Thursday.
The case has grabbed international headlines. Those who knew the store clerk said they believe Alba was simply defending herself.
“For me, I know him personally, he lives in my building. He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met, if he says it’s self-defense, it’s self-defense to me,” said Chris Sanchez, who said he knows Alba most of the time. his life. life. “I would have done the same”.
In a statement, the Ombudsman’s Office, which defends Alba, said that “they continue to investigate this case and gather evidence in defense of Mr. Alba. The video of this case speaks for itself: Mr. Alba was simply doing his job when he was aggressively cornered by a much younger and larger man.
THE LEGAL PROCESS AGAINST ALBA
Despite being released on parole, Jose Alba will not be able to leave the five boroughs and will be electronically monitored.
The next court date is scheduled for July 20.
It is expected to be an extensive judicial process.
Alba would have recently asked the owner of the winery for a vacation to go to the Dominican Republic to rest, but now her plans will have to wait.
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