Assailant in Conductor Slashing Has New Court Date of July 16

JUNE 17 -- Dozens of transit workers crowded a Bronx courtroom for a hearing for Isaiah Thompson, accused in the June 10th slashing of a NYCT Conductor. Thompson, who did not appear, will be arraigned before a grand jury on July 16th. The Court continued an order protection for our Conductor and bail was continued for Thompson.

In remarks outside of the courtroom, RTO VP Tramell Thompson thanked the NYPD for their quick work in capturing the defendant, and thanked union members for their solidarity.

Speaking about the defendant, he said, "We need logic when it comes to the criminal justice system. Someone who has had 17 prior arrests -- what are we waiting for in order to have consequences in incarceration? This catch and release system must be dismantled... We want to see up to 20 years incarceration. Next he's going to kill someone if this justice system does not hold him accountable. 

"Our sister was viciously slashed," he added. "When he assaulted our sister, he assaulted all of us. She's not doing well. Now every day when she wakes up [with a scar] she will be reminded of what happened to her at  Whitlock Avenue."

"We have to hold our politicians accountable," he continued. "We need stricter laws on the books. There needs to be a mandatory minimum for an attack on any city worker."

"And the Transit Authority wants to punish us when we decide to defend ourselves," he added, telling the news media that when transit workers try to counter an attack, they are subjected to discipline.