Staten Island members on Saturday came to the defense of a Manhattan bodega store employee facing manslaughter charges for fighting an assailant — saying he would be welcomed for such an act in their neighborhood instead of be thrown into a prison cell to rot on the infamous Rikers Island.
“In some parts of the world, this guy would be a hero if he saved himself — he’d get a medal,” Staten Island City President Vito Fossella said during a rally in support of bodega vendor Jose Alba outside a bagel shop in Eltingville.
“We can’t manage what happens in other parts of the city, but we can do it here,” Fossella said. “If things like this happen in Staten Island, [Alba wouldn’t] I’m going to Rikers.
Fossella, Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon and some Staten Island small business operators also condemned the office of embattled Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg for not only charging Alba — who has no known criminal record — with second-degree murder in the July 1 fatal stabbing of former inmate Austin Simon, but is also asking for a sky-high $500,000 bail.
District Attorney Michael McMahon condemned the Bragg DA’s choice in Manhattan to slap Alba with murder charges. Kevin S. Downs for The New York Post Surveillance video captured the raid at the Manhattan Bottle.
Alba was released from Rikers on Thursday, but only after a judge lowered his bond to $50,000.
McMahon said the city needs more common sense accountability to deal with violent and repeat offenders, or citizens may have to protect themselves the way Alba did.
“If you’re under attack, whether it’s at home, at school or in your business, you have the right to defend yourself,” he said.
Bragg — who has built a reputation since taking office as a progressive soft on criminals — threw the book at Alba, 61, despite surveillance video showing Simon, 35, storming behind the counter at the Hamilton Heights grocery at Broadway and West 139th Street to assault the store clerk.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella spoke to small business owners amid safety concerns after the Manhattan bodega attack. Kevin C. Downs for The New York Post Jose Alba was arrested after defending himself from an alleged attacker in his mailbox. Alec Tabak
Alba himself suffered stab wounds — allegedly inflicted by Simon’s girlfriend — that may have become infected because his wounds were not treated properly while behind bars, according to Francisco Marte, founder of Bodega and Small Business Group.
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