(WatchDogReport.org) – An aggressive man involved in stabbing two teenagers at New York City’s Grand Central Terminal on Christmas Day, 36-year-old Steven Hutcherson, reportedly attacked a fellow prisoner at Rikers Island, where he was being held after the stabbing.
The altercation at Grand Central took place when Hutcherson, who is black, argued with restaurant staff at Tartinery over seating. He allegedly made racial comments, shouting, “I want all the white people dead,” and “Don’t seat me next to black people. I want to sit next to the crackers,” before drawing a knife and stabbing a 16-year-old girl in the back and her 14-year-old sister in the leg.
Moreover, in a separate incident at Rikers, Hutcherson allegedly assaulted his 43-year-old cellmate with a ceramic blade, causing injuries to the face and head. Despite the prison’s security measures, Hutcherson managed to carry out the attack.
Hutcherson’s past is marked by multiple run-ins with the law. He had several arrests and faced domestic violence complaints. He was released on conditional discharge just weeks before the Christmas Day attack by Judge Matthew Grieco. At that time, he had threatened a stranger, asserting, “I’m going to kill this man.”
The prosecutors requested a 30-day jail term, aiming to keep him incarcerated on Christmas Day, as per the transcript from the December 12 hearing.
The recent attack on Rikers Island comes amid concerns regarding Hutcherson’s mental health. Sources revealed that he had prior encounters with law enforcement for mental health disturbances. Despite these red flags, he was placed in the general prison population.
Critics highlight this incident as emblematic of the leniency of judges and prosecutors, particularly in major cities like New York. Meanwhile, the Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, focuses on former President Donald Trump while crime rates soar.
Hutcherson’s erratic behavior and violent history raise questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in handling individuals with a known propensity for violence and mental health issues. The recent passing of a bill banning solitary confinement in city lockups further raises concerns among correctional officers about the safety of inmates and staff in correctional facilities.
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