The Big Apple judge who freed the eccentric suspect accused of randomly attacking a subway cellist is a former legal aid lawyer with ties to progressive politicians.
On Thursday, Judge Marva Brown chose to release the 23-year-old suspected attacker, who had at least eight prior arrests, and who only recently stepped into the judge role after serving as a public defender for nearly 20 years. Selected.
She said Brown became a civil court judge in Brooklyn in November after campaigning as a self-described “passionate advocate, thoughtful advisor, respected negotiator, and seasoned litigator.” That’s what it means. Campaign site.
The married mother of three was supported by many liberals, including state Rep. Brian Cunningham, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
After her election victory, left-handed Brooklyn City Council member Chi Ose also praised her, saying of Brown: Tweet He was rated as “awesome” and “indispensable community member.”
Brown was a community director for the borough and also served on the board of the Brooklyn-based nonprofit Family and Friends of the Wrongly Convicted.
On Friday, when The Post squarely addressed the decision to release suspected violent criminal Amira Hunter, she had no comment, especially given her long rap sheet and pleas from Manhattan prosecutors.
The judge said it was “inappropriate” outside the home after putting the children in the car.
“I’m with the kids.”
At Hunter’s arraignment on the second-degree assault charge, prosecutors pointed out that Hunter had missed three of five court dates in other criminal cases last year, and that he had received $1,000 in cash. He insisted on $5,000 bail or $45,000 bail.
It was not immediately clear why Brown, a civil judge, was assigned the subway attack case by Manhattan Criminal Court.
The state Courts Administration did not respond to The Post’s questions Friday about her case assignments.
A graduate of Columbia University and New York’s Cardozo School of Law, Brown began her legal career in 2006 as a lawyer for the Legal Aid Society, representing criminals charged with misdemeanors, according to her website.
A born and raised New Yorker, he filed a legal aid lawsuit in Nassau County, then in 2008 with the association’s Bronx office, and two years later in Brooklyn.
It is unclear whether she will still maintain her role at a nonprofit organization that provides resources to incarcerated and recently released people and their families after her election as a judge.
Representatives for the group did not respond to the Post.
The review of Brown’s career comes a day after a legal scholar decided to release him on supervised release despite being able to set bail on assault charges for the Feb. 13 subway attack on performer Ian S. Forrest. Details have been revealed.
Hunter, who lives in Brooklyn, also had warrants out for his arrest in two cases related to petty theft.
An OCA spokesperson said in a statement: “We do not comment on bail decisions other than to say that in New York, judges have the discretion to make bail decisions in accordance with the law and based on their assessment of the defendant’s flight risk.” Stated. Hunter’s arraignment.
A representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday that she “has fought to restore judges’ discretion to detain repeat offenders and violent offenders, including refusing to approve funding unless bail laws are changed.” He said he expected all judges to use their discretion. Because nothing is more important than keeping New Yorkers safe.
“The Governor and the Courts Administration reached an agreement last year to expand bail judicial training and will work to ensure that judges receive regular training on this law,” the spokesperson said.
Additional reporting by Vaughn Golden
