Anger and Diappointment in Brooklyn as Convicted Assailant Refuses Court Appearance

OCTOBER 22—A man who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of NYCT Train Operator Myran Pollack, accepting a 15-year prison term in August, refused to enter the courtroom Wednesday to be formally sentenced and face the man he brutally stabbed 13 times.

Just over a year ago, on October 8, Jonathan Davalos was on a 4 train sitting at the end of the line on Utica Ave. when Pollack asked him to step off the car. Davalos responded by stabbing Pollack repeatedly, and giving chase to continue stabbing him.

“I was looking forward to seeing him, because the last time I saw him, he was above me with a knife. I wanted to let him know exactly how much pain I’m going through," Pollack told reporters after the aborted court appearance.

With both TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello and NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow looking on, Judge Carolina Holderness asked Davalos, who appeared virtually from a holding cell in the building, if he could see and hear the proceedings. Davalos acknowledged he could, but later chose to ignore Holderness' later questions.

Pollack was prepared but unable to read a statement in court about the near-fatal incident and the suffering he endured since Davalos brutally stabbed him, but he was again left in the lurch after the sentencing had already been postponed twice since September.

New York State court rules prohibit someone charged with a felony to be sentenced via video, but Judge Holderness made it clear that at the next appearance Davalos would be subject to a “waiver or forfeiture” of his right to appear in person and would be sentenced virtually if necessary.

Outside the court, President Chiarello said, “I’m beyond words. You can’t get justice. The case has been postponed—so we have to come back yet again.” Placing a hand on the shoulder of NYCT President Crichlow, who stood on the other side of Brother Pollack before the assembled members of the press, he added: “This is one time we can stand with the MTA, in unison against this crime.”

Crichlow echoed Chiarello's statement, saying that he was here “to support Myran, a 25-year veteran, who dedicated his life to transit, the lifeblood of New York.”

Forced to wait even longer to begin to try and put the horrifying incident behind him, Pollack was grateful for the support.

“It’s not easy for me physically or mentally, but I’m so thankful that the TWU Local 100 family and also supervision from the MTA has come to stand beside me. This is overwhelming. I know I don’t deserve this type of outpouring but I really appreciate everyone coming out to support.”

Brother Pollack and union members will now have to wait to relive the crime again at sentencing, now expected to take place on December 15th, with or without the defendant’s cooperation.