Recently, surveillance video of an altercation and stabbing at a NYC bodega has gone viral and sparked debates on the internet and among US politicians.
Store clerk Jose Alba is being charged with second-degree murder for fatally stabbing Austin Simon during an altercation between the two. The incident took place at Alba’s work, the Blue Moon Convenience Store in Hamilton Heights, on July 1.
Simon’s girlfriend’s card was declined when attempting to buy a bag of chips. She called her boyfriend into the store and Simon attacked Alba. After an altercation that lasted about a minute, Alba stabbed Simon.
Manhattan bodega worker charged with murder. Woman who didn't have enough money for her item, went to the car to get her boyfriend, who then came behind the counter to attack the clerk.. Jose Alba, 51, cut the man up, and is being charged with murder. Held on $250,000 bail. #NYC pic.twitter.com/kZ3Ju5yVDq
— YouDontHaveToWatch (@StarsAndBars123) July 6, 2022
New York’s District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, has come under fierce criticism for his handling of the case. He has charged Alba with second-degree murder and gave him a $250,000 bail before being pressured to lower it.
Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi had some choice words for Bragg and progressive prosecutors like him, saying
“The D.A. is not following the law. I’ve prosecuted for a very long time. And when you’re a prosecutor, your job is to seek justice. And this isn’t justice for anyone, especially all the store clerks out there who now are going to be scared to defend themselves and probably scared to come to work. This man was a law-abiding citizen. Had he not defended himself, his family would be at his funeral this week. That’s what would be happening. So it’s just it’s a tragedy and hopefully this D.A. will follow the law. Hopefully, the mayor will get involved and say, you need to drop this. You need to follow the law, because this is not justice under our Constitution. This man is a victim, and they’ve now charged him. But you can tell what a good man he is. He’s already come out and said, I am so sorry. I didn’t want to hurt anyone” Bondi told Fox News.
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Angry bodega owners chanted “Freedom for Jose Alba” in front of the DA’s office as advocates met with prosecutors inside. An hour later, the president of the United Bodegas of America emerged with seemingly optimistic news, CBS2’s Christina Fan reported.
“We are leaving today feeling very good and hoping that when he concludes his investigation, and he didn’t give us a timeline, that he will exonerate Jose Alba,” Fernando Mateo said.
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