NYC Judge Under Fire for Releasing Parolee Who Shot a Cop

Councilman Robert Holden is demanding the resignation of Queens Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels after a parolee he released shot an NYPD officer and a bystander. The parolee, Gary Worthy, had a lengthy criminal record, including 17 arrests and two prison stints.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/2023-new-york-city-adams-94078106.jpg?w=1024" alt="New York City Councilman Robert Holden">

Despite pleas from prosecutors and a parole officer to detain Worthy, Judge Daniels released him without bail. Worthy subsequently allegedly attempted to rob two businesses before engaging in a shootout with police, wounding Officer Rich Wong and a civilian before being killed.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/05273105q-aliasgary-worthy-23-priors-93989473_3fc5ff.jpg" alt="Ex-convict Gary Worthy">

Holden criticizes Judge Daniels' decision as a "stunning lack of judgment" and calls on Mayor Adams, who appointed Daniels, to take swift action. The Mayor's office has yet to respond. The Office of Court Administration stated they don't comment on bail matters. New York State's 2019 criminal justice reforms limit judges' ability to set bail, but Worthy's record and felony charges could have warranted detention.

<img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/36-year-old-7-year-94036974.jpg?w=1024" alt="Hero NYPD cop Rich Wong"><img src="https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/worthy-held-bodega-worthy-ordered-94021758.jpg?w=762" alt="Gary Worthy's attempted robbery">

This incident has reignited debate surrounding bail reform and judicial accountability in NYC.