Man accused of punching NYC woman freed by judge, allegedly attacks 85-year-old next day
A woman punched in Manhattan says her attacker was freed and allegedly hit an 85-year-old man the next day.
A 28-year-old woman claimed she was shocked when a man allegedly punched her on a Manhattan street, only to see him attack an 85-year-old man the following day. The woman, who works in finance, recounted the incident in September near Fulton Street and Water Street. She reported seeing Christopher Tarrant, identified later, about to punch her, but he hit her shoulder instead.
She followed him and saw him throw a glass bottle at an older woman and punch another. Tarrant was arrested after attacking two other women within five minutes. He was charged with misdemeanor assault, but a judge released him the next day, as the misdemeanor charge was not eligible for bail under 2019 reform laws. The next day, Tarrant allegedly attacked an 85-year-old man in Hell’s Kitchen, kicking him and punching him twice in the face.
He was charged with felony assault due to the victim's age. The judge, Jeffrey Gershuny, freed Tarrant on supervised release, despite the crimes being pattern assaults. Critics argue that non-cooperative victims should not prevent police from charging additional charges, and that judges should be held more accountable for dangerousness.
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