Charges Upgraded After Death of Elderly Subway Pushing Victim
In light of the recent death of an elderly Air Force veteran, charges against a Honduran man who had been deported four times are set to be escalated. This incident occurred earlier this month in New York City.
Byron Posada Hernandez, 34, initially faced attempted murder charges for allegedly pushing the veteran onto subway tracks at a train station. The Department of Homeland Security reported that Hernandez has a significant criminal history, including 15 prior indictments.
According to the New York Daily News, the charges were upgraded to murder after the elderly victim, Richard Williams, 83, who was recently on life support, passed away.
At the time of the incident, Williams was waiting for a train when he was allegedly shoved onto the tracks. Police reported that moments before this, Hernandez had also pushed another man, aged 30, onto the tracks without any provocation.
Williams was immediately taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Hospital in critical condition. His daughter, Debbie Williams, expressed her grim expectations regarding his health. “It doesn’t look good,” she remarked from her father’s bedside. Unfortunately, Williams succumbed to his injuries on March 17th.
Authorities have noted that the medical examiner attributed his death to multiple blunt force injuries.
Debbie Williams shared her feelings about the accused: “I hope he rots in hell,” she stated.
Initially, Posada Hernandez pleaded not guilty, but his arraignment on the updated charges is set for the upcoming Monday.
His attorney, Michael Papson, claimed that his client denies these allegations vehemently and noted that Hernandez had never been arrested in New York state previously.
However, Lauren Biss, an assistant secretary of Homeland Security, sharply criticized Hernandez, labeling him an “evil man” and a “serial criminal” who should not be allowed to harm innocent citizens.
Posada Hernandez first entered the United States in January 2008 and has faced deportation four times, with the last instance occurring in 2020. Details about his fifth entry remain unclear. His criminal record includes serious offenses such as simple assault, domestic violence, and weapon possession.
