The so-called “Burberry Bandit” is back in the news after being arrested following a string of bank robberies over a decade. This week, five bank robbers were apprehended, but a notorious New York City judge ended up presiding over the case, even though it might not have been appropriate for him to do so.
Cornell Neely, 35, earned his nickname due to his fondness for wearing distinctive plaid during his heists at various banks across New York City and upstate.
According to police, Neely was arrested again for allegedly robbing five banks between August 16 and September 13. In each incident, he reportedly handed notes requesting cash from the tellers.
Judge Jeffrey Gershney, appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2019, ignored prosecutors’ recommendation for a $50,000 cash bail or a $150,000 bond, instead opting for supervised release. This decision is particularly concerning given Neely’s history of parole and 34 prior arrests for bank robbery.
An NYPD officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment, stating, “The judge’s decision to deny bail is negligent. It shows a clear disregard for public safety.”
He raised a crucial question: “At what point does desperation lead him to escalate to violence?”
Gershney, who shouldn’t be in a position to make such important decisions, was demoted to handle only misdemeanor cases after a peculiar incident in August where he fired a gun during a court session.
Law enforcement noted that Gershney has a history of being lenient on criminals throughout his 20 years on the bench, and many believe he should be removed from his position.
Al Baker, a spokesperson for the State Court Administration, declined to comment on specific cases or Gershney’s role in Neely’s release, stating, “The court system typically does not comment on individual bail decisions. Factors like flight risk are taken into account.”
Neely’s robbery spree reportedly began at Chase Bank on August 16, where he was seen on surveillance cameras wearing a black cap and hoodie full of random words and symbols.
In one instance, he allegedly handed a teller a note demanding $3,500, though he left with $1,000 instead.
Neely attempted similar robberies at other banks, consistently providing notes asking for cash, but he twice left empty-handed due to alarms being triggered.
Ultimately, he was arrested at his grandmother’s home and charged with five felony robberies, facing state charges since he did not use a weapon during the heists.
Neely has a long history with the law, including a 14-event robbery pattern that started in 2012, during which he reportedly stole over $8,500. After pleading guilty to one of the bank robberies, he received a 26-month sentence and is currently under supervised release until 2027.
He also faced drug-related charges earlier this year, being caught with OxyContin, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine.
As of now, Neely’s defense attorney has yet to respond to inquiries regarding his case.
