A recent incident in Manhattan has brought attention to a judge’s decision to release a career criminal, Johnson Earl, after he allegedly assaulted an elderly man. The judge, Beverly Tatham, refused to comment on her ruling when approached by a reporter at her home in Brownsville.
The incident in question occurred on a southbound No. 5 train at the Fulton Street station on Dec. 20. Earl reportedly became enraged after the 83-year-old man accidentally stumbled over his foot and proceeded to punch him in the face. The altercation escalated into a brawl, with Earl ultimately putting the victim in a chokehold and continuing to assault him.
Despite the severity of the assault and Earl’s extensive criminal history, which includes 13 prior arrests, Tatham granted him supervised release. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office had recommended setting bail at $75,000 cash or $100,000 bond, but Tatham opted to release Earl back onto the streets.
This is not the first time Earl has been in trouble with the law. In July, he was arrested for assaulting a security guard at a 99-cent store in The Bronx. He has a history of arrests for assault, as well as charges of criminal possession of a weapon and marijuana possession.
Earl is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 27 for the assault on the elderly man. The decision to release him has sparked outrage and raised questions about the judge’s judgment in this case. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what consequences Earl will face for his actions.
