Controversial Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg made headlines this week over his decision to charge a police officer for allegedly punching a homeless man who was behaving erratically.
According to Fox News, NYPD Officer Juan Perez and his partner responded to a call on November 10, 2021, about an individual who was seen behaving erratically on the corner of Bleecker and Sullivan streets.
Court documents and statements made on the record state that the two officers encountered Borim Husenaj close to the location, where they observed him holding a bottle of alcohol and appearing to be intoxicated.
After Perez had Husenaj sit down on a chair while they awaited the arrival of an ambulance, the suspect became uncooperative and Perez attempted to handcuff him. This resulted in a struggle that ended with both men on the ground.
"Perez then proceeded to rapidly punch the victim six times in the face, who was lying on the ground defenseless," Bragg's office alleged. "He was brought to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken nose and significant swelling."
Fox News noted that Perez, who has been suspended without pay, is facing one count of assault in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
News of the indictment against Perez comes in the wake of Bragg's decision to charge Marine Corps veteran Daniel Penny with manslaughter over the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man with a long history of violence.
Penny restrained Neely in a subway car earlier this month after he reportedly became belligerent and began making threats toward other passengers.
The New York Post reported that Neely was arrested on multiple occasions, including in November of 2021 when he was accused of punching a 67-year-old woman in the face.
The Post cited charging documents which said the victim sustained a broken nose and fractured orbital bone as well as "bruising, swelling and substantial pain to the back of her head."
Bragg's move led the Post's editorial board to complain in a piece published on May 12 that the district attorney is playing for "Team Crime."
"We’ll never know if a grand jury would’ve indicted Daniel Penny in the death of Jordan Neely, because Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg decided to skip that step — clearly because a horde of lefty politicians and raging protesters demanded it," they wrote.
"In their place, he accepted the unconsidered judgment of progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, City Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams," the editors continued.
"All the loudmouths braying for Penny’s head don’t give a damn about restoring public safety in New York City," they complained, adding, "And by jumping to work their will, Bragg again proved his loyalty to Team Crime."
