New York City bodega owners are calling on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to drop murder charges against a clerk who killed an ex-con who attacked him.
Representatives of United Bodegas of America announced Saturday that they will meet with the prosecutor on Tuesday to discuss Jose Alba’s case.
Their calls for mercy come as Mayor Eric Adams and City Council members from both sides of the aisle asked the embattled district attorney to drop charges against Alba, 61, who was seen on camera fending off an attack by Austin Simon, 35. before fatally stabbing him on July 1.
Footage showed Simon getting behind the counter at a Hamilton Heights grocery store on Broadway and West 139th Street in Manhattan when his girlfriend couldn’t raise enough money to buy a bag of chips.
Alba stabbed Austin five times after he was pushed into a shelf, officials said. The employee was then allegedly stabbed by Austin’s girlfriend in the shoulder and arm.
Bodega owners, including United Bodegas of America President Radhames Rodriguez (speaking), urged Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to consider charges against Jose Alba. Gregory P. Mango
“Mr. Alba was apparently defending himself against a younger and stronger man who attacked him,” wrote UBA President Radhames Rodríguez.
“Mr Alba had no time to think when his life was in danger. The videos clearly show who is the aggressor in this case. Austin Simon went behind the counter to beat Jose Alba and possibly kill him, Jose just defended himself with whatever he could get his hands on.
The group plans to hold a press conference Monday morning in the Bronx.
Alba was released from Riker’s Island on $50,000 bail Thursday. Bodega association leaders said he couldn’t afford a defense attorney.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was called for wanting to charge Jose Alba with murder. AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File
Simon has prior arrests, including robbery and assault, and was in state prison on a 2016 conviction for assaulting a police officer. His girlfriend did not face charges in the stabbing with Alba, who has no criminal record.
Bragg’s critics cited his reputation as a soft-on-crime prosecutor who recently told his office not to seek prison terms for crimes such as armed robbery and drug trafficking as they pleaded for leniency in Alba’s case.
“The fact that you are even prosecuting Mr. Alba reveals how your twisted sense of justice not only protects violent criminals, but actively seeks to destroy the lives of crime victims,” read a letter signed by two Democratic lawmakers and five Republicans .
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