Malachi Houston, 27, accused of stabbing a Brooklyn MTA bus driver, was released after a grand jury did not indict him within the required timeframe, authorities announced. The incident, which occurred on June 8 in East New York, involved Houston allegedly attacking the driver over a dispute about the bus route. Houston was arrested on July 8 but released because the grand jury did not act within six days.
Houston’s release has sparked outrage and concern, especially considering his criminal history, including arrests for possession of controlled substances and grand larceny. The bus driver, who was stabbed in the neck, was transported to Brookdale University Hospital in stable condition.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where Houston and the driver engaged in a physical altercation before Houston fled. Bloodstains were visible on the bus, highlighting the violence of the incident.
The bus driver’s colleague, D. McClain, emphasized the need for better protection for transit workers, citing the unpredictability and danger posed by some passengers. McClain’s call for more safety measures comes in the wake of not only this attack but also two other assaults on bus drivers in New York City around the same time.
Houston’s case is still under investigation, and prosecutors may present additional evidence to the grand jury. This incident raises significant questions about the safety of public transportation workers and the efficiency of the legal system in prosecuting violent crimes. The community remains on edge as they await further developments in the case.
