NEW YORK – Pleas are growing louder to drop the murder charge against the Hispanic New York City warehouse clerk accused of killing a man who attacked him behind the counter, as the district attorney’s office continues to evaluating the evidence in the case.
Supporters of Jose Alba say new surveillance video showing the shocking incident could help see the worker acquitted of the charges. That message was echoed Sunday in the Bronx, where United Bodegas of America publicly called on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to drop all charges against the employee.
“The Alba family does not have the money for a defense attorney, and it is a waste of taxpayer money to press murder charges against a working man with no known criminal history. We are hopeful that District Attorney Braggs will listen and understand UBA’s request.” to withdraw all charges”, said Fernando Mateo, spokesman for the UBA.
The group representing the five-borough wineries has already spoken with Bragg, but hopes a face-to-face meeting on Tuesday will advance their progress toward getting Alba acquitted of all charges.
A spokesman for Bragg said his office was “continuing to review the evidence and that the investigation was ongoing.”
Alba was released Thursday after spending nearly a week on Riker’s Island. Her bail was reduced from a quarter of a million dollars to $50,000. As part of her release, Alba was forced to surrender her passport, remain in all five boroughs, and submit to electronic surveillance.
The 61-year-old man, a Dominican father of three who became a US citizen 14 years ago, faces murder charges after police say he fatally stabbed a man inside a Washington Heights convenience store. However, there is growing outrage over his arrest, with many wondering: Was it murder or self defense?
Surveillance video from inside the Blue Moon convenience store on Broadway near 139th Street shows 35-year-old Austin Simon barging 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.
Investigators say the fight started after Simon’s girlfriend tried to pay for a bag of chips, but her EBT card was declined.
The 32-year-old woman told police that Alba took the chips from the girl, so she ran home to find Simon, who broke into the cellar and attacked Alba about 10 minutes later.
Paramedic crews transported Simon to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was among many who stopped by the warehouse throughout the day Thursday, said it appeared Alba was acting in self-defense.
“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.
Adams’ words drew praise at the UBA news conference on Sunday, where Mateo thanked the mayor for “being with us.”
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. “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.
Alba could face up to 15 to 20 years in prison if convicted of second-degree murder.
The next court date is scheduled for July 20.
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