Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. recently announced an indictment against 29-year-old Jamile Daniel, who is accused of a hate-fueled attack on a Hispanic gay couple in Midtown last month. According to the Manhattan DA's office, Daniel faces charges for two counts each of Assault in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime and Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree.
“This alleged conduct is repugnant and fueled by the defendant’s biases about the couple’s sexual orientation and heritage. New Yorkers of all backgrounds deserve to feel safe in Manhattan, and I wish the victims in this case a swift recovery,” D.A. Bragg said in a statement. On the evening of March 18, without provocation, Daniel is alleged to have approached the couple, who were merely enjoying a walk near West 37th Street and 8th Avenue—and unleashed a string of homophobic and xenophobic slurs before physically assaulting them. The victims, aged 25 and 32, were later taken to a hospital for injuries sustained to the face, as detailed by the same press release.
Following the incident, Daniel fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after by law enforcement. The quick response from NYPD's Midtown South Precinct was acknowledged by D.A. Bragg in a nod to their efficient efforts. Assistant D.A. Jaclyn Yoselevich of the Trial Bureau 50 leads the prosecution, overseen by multiple supervisors in the Hate Crimes Unit and the Trial Division, with support from Hate Crimes Analyst Gwen Nighswander and Trial Preparation Assistant Philip Marks.
