In court this week, the indictment revealed that the man accused of brutally attacking a disabled woman at a Manhattan subway station claimed he used his belt to “defend himself” before he attacked her with it.
According to court documents, Norton Blake, a Bronx resident aged 43, stated that he was assisting Laurell Reynolds, aged 60, to climb up the stairs at the West 116 Street and Lenox Avenue station in Harlem at around 3:20 a.m. on September 1st when she fell down the stairs.
According to court documents, he told the police that the woman threw his bags down the stairs, hurled a can of soup at him, and managed to grab his cane and attempted to hit him with it.
According to the filing, he claimed that he defended himself against Reynolds by taking off his belt.
Blake faces indictment on two assault counts and one attempted assault count for violently beating Reynolds, resulting in a two-week hospitalization at Harlem Hospital.
Prosecutors revealed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday that the victim is recuperating in a nursing facility. Meanwhile, Blake, who appeared in court leaning on a cane and wincing, was arraigned on the indictment.
In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accused Blake Norton of using violence by allegedly assaulting a subway rider multiple times.
“The perpetrator’s actions were severe and excessive, leaving the victim helpless on the ground.”
Prosecutors claim that Blake could face imprisonment for a minimum of three years, or a maximum of 15, but Blake asserts his innocence by pleading not guilty.
According to jail records, he was held on $75,000 bail or $100,000 bond at the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center. The jail barge is located on the south shore of the Bronx, opposite Rikers Island.
In court, Paul D’Emilia, Blake’s defense attorney, argued that his client was simply trying to assist Reynolds, who he believed may be struggling with drug or mental health problems.
D’Emilia informed the judge that there are conflicting facts from our beliefs.
“He took away my client’s cane and started hitting him with it,” he said. “Although there are two sides to this, we can address that later. It’s important to note that my client is disabled.”
He requested the court to release Blake before the trial due to his anxiety and depression, as he is not receiving adequate treatment.
Judge Laura Ward will review the grand jury’s notes before considering electronic monitoring for Blake’s house arrest.
Blake was filmed by an MTA worker as he screamed and beat Reynolds in a disturbing attack.
As seen in a video obtained by The Post, he yelled, “It just happened to fall down!” while Reynolds cowered beneath him while I was helping with your walker on the stairs.
He hit Reynolds multiple times in the end.
According to the president of the New York City Transit Authority, the MTA worker documented the ordeal and then called the Rail Control Center, who contacted 911.
Sources say that responding officers released Blake after questioning him and Reynolds due to conflicting stories.
It’s unclear whether the cops watched the video before or after allowing Blake to wander into the Manhattan night. However, they eventually saw it.
Police sources say they are now internally investigating their response.
A few days later, the NYPD’s warrant squad caught Blake.
He has eight misdemeanor convictions and one failure-to-appear, according to prosecutors.
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