In the wake of an anti-Asian attack that took place over five years ago, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. has recently announced the sentencing of the perpetrator to a 2-to-4-year state prison term. The individual, Manuel Morales, aged 43, was convicted of menacing a 37-year-old Asian man with a pair of scissors in Chinatown during an incident. According to a statement from the District Attorney's office, Morales was found guilty of one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree and one count of Menacing in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime.
"Manuel Morales will serve a state prison term for targeting, threatening and hurling offensive remarks at a man driven by his own hateful beliefs and biases," said District Attorney Bragg in a statement obtained by Manhattan DA's Office. Morales' actions resulted in an environment that raised safety concerns for both the individual involved and the broader AAPI community, particularly during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The incident occurred on March 29, 2020, at approximately 12:10 p.m., outside a Chinese restaurant at 300 Grant Street, where a group of individuals of Asian descent was waiting. As reported by the Manhattan DA's Office, Morales approached the group and began shouting profanities and racial slurs. When one of the individuals asked him to leave, Morales allegedly pulled a pair of scissors from his pocket and advanced toward the person while making remarks, including telling the victim to "go back to your country."
Several onlookers, while alarmed by the event, sprung into action and contacted the authorities. Police from the NYPD 5th Precinct, including Officer Kwabena Fraser and Officer Edwin Duran, assisted by members of the Hate Crimes Task Force, apprehended Morales within minutes, finding the weapon in question.
The prosecution team, led by Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Kaplan and Cara O’Connor, with support from senior staff, investigators, and trial preparation assistants, pursued legal action against Morales in accordance with applicable laws. The sentence was issued following their efforts. District Attorney Bragg acknowledged those who contributed to the case and reiterated the office’s position on addressing hate crimes within the borough.
