The cruel murder case of a 7-year-old Bronx girl officially ended Friday, but there was no closure as her heartbroken grandmother walked freely as a half-brother of the victim charged with killing her.
The sexual abuse, assault and murder charges of Paul Fein Jr. in the 2021 murder of Julicia Batties were dropped on Friday after her mother was held full responsibility for the crime.
“I'm paralyzed, I'm really paralyzed by the whole situation,” Julicia's heartbroken grandmother, Yolanda Davis, told the Post. “It's really sad.”
“I'm not happy that he's out.”
Davis said the fine should remain behind the bar, even if he and Julicia's mother, Navathia Jones, 35, should have brought life without parole.
Instead, she was given a 15-year sentence for manslaughter charges.
“He said he did that… but what now? Only God knows,” she said, “I'm so mad. It really suffocated me.”
“I hurt my granddaughter gone and I couldn't get her back,” she said.
Police discovered Julicia's ragtag body on August 10, 2021 at Jones' apartment in the New York City Housing Authority's Mitchell House.
Jones and Fine, 20, were arrested in 2022, and he was allegedly sexually abused the face on the morning of his death and admitted to punching her in the face eight times.
He then retracted the statement and Jones, who had plea bargained with the Bronx District Attorney's Office this week, said she was the only one who attacked Julicia, causing her death, officials said.
Fine's lawyers allege that he accidentally collapsed to take part in the murder to “protect” his mother.
Jones' lawyers previously showed evidence in the case “may have presented the matter” to the prosecutor if the case went to trial. Police sources said it was “not clear” who delivered the deadly blow accurately.
Julius Batties, Julius Batties, told the Post this week that he doesn't think Jones' 15-year sentence is long enough.
“It makes me mad because she's running away with murder and getting her son back. She won't get her daughter back,” Batties said.
After Bronx Supreme Court Judge Joseph McCormack dismissed the charges against him, he smiled and wore a bright orange coat and Air Jordan sneakers and was fined.
His lawyer praised the judge's decision.
“We are very pleased that Paul has regained his life,” they said in a statement provided by Calvin Skoll, who was in court on behalf of Fine's lawyer, Develok Canic.
“Paul loves his family in the wrong way,” their statement continued. “He tried to protect his mother by taking responsibility for what he had not committed.”
Fine's lawyer added that he missed his sister and “trying to become her guardian.”
“I am equally pleased that the district attorney was open-minded and willing to listen,” they added.
