A Brooklyn man accused of stabbing an MTA bus driver was released due to a grand jury’s failure to indict him in time. Malachi Houston, 27, was arrested on July 8 for the June 8 stabbing of a 60-year-old bus driver at Pitkin and Alabama avenues in East New York.
Despite facing attempted murder charges, Houston was released as the grand jury did not indict him within six days.
The incident began with Houston reportedly arguing with the driver over the bus’s direction. The argument escalated, leading Houston to stab the driver in the neck. The driver was hospitalized in stable condition.
Houston, who has a history of arrests including drug possession and grand larceny, was released because prosecutors presented evidence to the grand jury, which took no action. The investigation is ongoing, and additional evidence may be presented.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene with bloodstains on the bus, illustrating the violence of the attack. Fellow bus driver D. McClain called for better protection for transit workers, emphasizing the risks they face from unpredictable passengers.
In addition to this incident, two other bus drivers in New York City were attacked in separate events around the same time, highlighting the need for improved safety measures for transit employees. The community awaits further updates as the case progresses.
