Councilman Robert Holden said in a scathing statement that Queens Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels, who was appointed to the bench by Adams in April, dropped the ball when he released career criminal Gary Worthy without bail — despite pleas from prosecutors and a parole officer to lock him up.
Worthy, 57, allegedly tried to rob two Jamaica businesses on Tuesday before he shot and wounded a 26-year-old woman and NYPD cop Rich Wong, who returned fire and killed the ex-con.
5New York City Councilman Robert Holden (above) said Mayor Adams should demand the resignation of Queens Judge Edward Daniels over his decision to release ex-con Gary Worthy. Getty Images
5Mayor Eric Adams appointed Edward Daniels to the criminal court bench in April, calling him “the best and brightest.” Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
“Mayor Adams called Judge Daniels one of the best and brightest and said public safety is a prerequisite to prosperity,” Holden (D-Queens) said in the statement.
“Yet, Daniels’ decisions have shown a stunning lack of judgement,” he railed. “Denying requests to detain someone with Worthy’s violent record does not reflect the integrity we need in our judges. Mayor Adams must act swiftly to remove the judge he appointed before more violence occurs.”
The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Post reported this week that Worthy was on lifetime parole with two stints in state prison and a rap sheet with 17 arrests when he went before Daniels on Aug. 27.
Gary Worthy, 57, was on lifetime parole after 17 arrests and two stints in state prisoin when he was killed in a shootout with the NYPD last week.
5NYPD Officer Rich Wong shot and killed Gary Worthy despite being wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Kyle Mazza/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Worthy’s parole officer told the judge that he had not showed up for required meetings with him in three months, and asked Daniels to hold him without bail at Rikers Island, while the Queens prosecutor requested that Worthy be held on $120,000 bail on the new felony assault and burglary charges he faced.
Instead, Daniels ordered that Worthy be released without bail.
Earlier this month, Worthy — whose prison time included a sentence for manslaughter — was arrested again on drug and resisting arrest charges and remained free.
In a statement to The Post on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the state Office of Court Administration, which oversees the judicial system, said the agency does not comment on bail matters.
5Security camera footage obtained by The Post shows one of two attempted robberies by Gary Worthy before he was shot dead in a gunfight with police. NYPost
New York state judges are prohibited from setting bail in most cases due to the controversial 2019 criminal justice reforms passed by Albany lawmakers. However, the felony charges Worthy faced in August — as well as his parole status and lengthy record — could have mandated bail.
Daniels is a former public defender in Queens, heading the firm’s homicide bureau.
New York City Councilman Robert Holden (above) said Mayor Adams should demand the resignation of Queens Judge Edward Daniels over his decision to release ex-con Gary Worthy. Getty Images
Mayor Eric Adams appointed Edward Daniels to the criminal court bench in April, calling him “the best and brightest.” Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Gary Worthy, 57, was on lifetime parole after 17 arrests and two stints in state prisoin when he was killed in a shootout with the NYPD last week.
NYPD Officer Rich Wong shot and killed Gary Worthy despite being wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Kyle Mazza/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Security camera footage obtained by The Post shows one of two attempted robberies by Gary Worthy before he was shot dead in a gunfight with police. NYPost
