Posted on March 1, 2024

Thief Busted in Brutal Subway Cello Attack Released Without Bail

Joe Marino et al., New York Post, February 29, 2024

A 23-year-old with eight prior arrests was busted in the shocking, caught-on-video bottle attack on a New York City subway cellist — and was promptly cut loose Thursday despite pleas that she be held on bail.

Amira Hunter was nabbed Wednesday night, 15 days after she allegedly bashed Iain S. Forrest, 29, in the head as he performed in the Herald Square station.

At her arraignment Thursday on second-degree assault charges, Manhattan prosecutors argued for $15,000 cash bail or $45,000 bond, noting that Hunter has failed to appear at three of her five court dates in other criminal cases last year.

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Hunter, of Brooklyn, also had a bench warrant out for her arrest in two cases involving petit larceny {snip}

Her last arrest was in October on grand larceny charges for allegedly stealing two bathing suits worth $2,050 from Bergdorf Goodman {snip}

She also was arrested twice for assaulting her mom in 2019, sources said.

But despite her criminal history, Brown set Hunter free on supervised release — even though the jurist could’ve set bail on the assault charge, a violent felony, under current law.

Hunter was caught on video allegedly whacking Forrest in the head with his own metal water bottle as he performed “Titanium” by Sia underground on Feb. 13.

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Original Article