The man accused in a deadly Brooklyn subway subway stabbing that he claims was done in self-defense was released without bail — just two days after he allegedly killed a man who witnesses said had been harassing passengers.
Jordan Williams was arrested and charged with manslaughter, but was free without bail Thursday afternoon, NBC New York has learned. He was seen leaving Kings County criminal court in street clothes and without handcuffs.
During his court appearance, Williams didn't say a word as he stood next to his attorney, but appeared relieved after the judge opted not to impose bail. The judge told Williams that "I think that your whole life is ahead of you. I think you have every reason to fight this case with the support of your family and community."
His attorney, Jason Goldman, said after the hearing that "today, the system worked."
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On Wednesday, the 20-year-old was handcuffed as officers walked him out of a Williamsburg police station — just a few blocks away from where he allegedly stabbed Devictor Quedraogo to death on a northbound J train approaching the Marcy Avenue and Broadway station the day before.
The violent incident broke out just after 8 p.m. Tuesday, and police responded to a 911 call of a man stabbed while aboard the train. When officers got to the train station, they found a 36-year-old man who had been stabbed in the chest.
The victim, Quedraogo, was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Less than 24 hours later, the 20-year-old Williams had been arrested and charged with manslaughter and weapon possession.
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Williams said nothing as he was led out of the police station, only nodding "yes" when asked if he acted in self-defense in the previous night's incident. His brother told NBC New York that the deadly stabbing was done as Williams defended his girlfriend.
Williams' mother, April, said that her son "cares about life" and that he is "extremely remorseful."
Law enforcement sources told NBC New York that Quedraogo had been harassing multiple passengers while acting belligerent and erratic toward others on board. He may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sources said, but a toxicology report will determine if that was the case.
Williams' girlfriend was one of the people who Quedraogo had been harassing, with an assistant district attorney revealing in court that Williams told Quedraogo to stop harassing his girlfriend and pushed him away.
Defense attorney Goldman said Quedraogo then punched Williams' girlfriend, leading to both men getting into a scuffle.
"He deserves to fight this on the outside," Goldman said of his client. "Judge realized that. Very grateful today."
The girlfriend was also questioned by police, but was released. Investigators are now reviewing cell phone video that captured the scuffle that led up to the deadly stabbing.
The deadly stabbing has been compared to the death of Jordan Neely, put into a chokehold aboard a Manhattan subway by retired Marine Daniel Penny, who was indicted Wednesday. Penny claimed the street performer was also harassing and threatening riders, and that he was defending himself and others.
Overall, transit crime in New York City is down nearly 8 percent, according to the MTA, which said it is cooperating with investigations into both headline-grabbing incidents. The transit president quickly pointed out that extra officers on trains and platforms are keeping New Yorkers safe.
"We have over a million riders a day. We have a handful of serious crimes a day. We think the system is very safe," said MTA President Richard Davey.
