Arrested Individual Face Charges in Brooklyn over Brutal Attack on MTA Employee From Previous Month
In a shocking incident that occurred on July 1, two women, Leschea Aldridge (25) and Ayizhae Thomas (24), have been arrested and charged in connection with the assault on Marshalee Reid, a 51-year-old MTA employee, at the New Lots Avenue subway station in Brooklyn.
The altercation began when one of the suspects jumped the turnstile without paying the fare. When Marshalee Reid confronted them, both women allegedly went on the attack, punching her multiple times and one striking her with a set of keys, causing minor lacerations. As a result, Reid was hospitalized in stable condition.
The Brooklyn District Attorney's office charged Leschea Aldrige with first-degree attempted assault, second and third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree menacing, and theft of services. Ayizhae Thomas faces similar charges, including assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Both women are also charged with child endangerment as a young boy was present during the incident.
Ayizhae Thomas was arraigned on July 30, while Leschea Aldrige, who was arraigned on assault charges in Brooklyn criminal court on Thursday, had her bail conditions continued at $30,000.
The Transport Workers Union Local 100 (TWU Local 100) has strongly condemned the attack. TWU President John Chiarello highlighted the frequency of assaults on union members and called for increased measures, urging prosecutors and politicians to crack down on subway crime and deploy more officers to areas where MTA employees are frequently attacked. TWU Vice President for stations, Robert Kelley, has called for the assailants to be sentenced to seven years in prison.
Union president John Chiarello stated that more police patrols are necessary to keep workers and riders safe. He also expressed concern over the alleged cutting back of NYPD patrols and the lack of funding for safe subways for 24 hours a day, stating that if the mayor and the governor do not address these issues, their message would be that the safety of workers does not matter.
Members of the transit union were present at the court to support Marshalee Reid. Video evidence was crucial in apprehending both suspects, as their photos were widely circulated. The attack left Reid, who is 51 years old, with multiple injuries.
The TWU has demanded "maximum justice" for the victim, and both women face severe penalties if found guilty. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by MTA employees and the need for increased safety measures in the subway system.
The General-News and Politics intersect in the demand for increased safety measures in the subway system, as Union President John Chiarello urges politicians to address the issue of subway crime and funding for safe subways for 24 hours a day, implying a call to action in crime-and-justice matters pertaining to MTA employees. The Union's call for "maximum justice" for Marshalee Reid, the victim of the assault at the New Lots Avenue subway station, highlights the severity of the case and its significance in the realm of crime-and-justice.
