Assemblyman Brian Manktelow (R,C,I,Ref-Lyons), Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref- Pulaski) and their Assembly Minority colleagues joined law enforcement officials and victims who have suffered the consequences of the newly implemented bail reform for a press conference today. The purpose of the press conference was to call upon the Assembly Majority to address the flawed law either repealing the law or amending it.

“Barely two weeks into the new year and we have already released hundreds of dangerous criminals back into society,” said Manktelow. “This includes confessed killers, domestic abusers who went straight back to terrorizing their victims, those threatening to shoot up a middle school and much more. Currently, the governor, NYC mayor, the Assembly Minority, the entire Senate, law enforcement officials and law-abiding citizens are calling for something to be done. The only thing holding us back is the Assembly Majority. They need to wake up and realize the gravity of their mistakes before it is too late.”

Joining legislators and law enforcement officials today were Sheila Harris and Jennifer Payne. Harris’s relative, Maria “Rosie” Osai, was struck and killed on Christmas Eve by an unlicensed, hit-and-run illegal immigrant driver who was later released and home with his family Christmas morning. Payne lost her daughter, Sarah Tombs, in April 2019 after her daughter’s boyfriend shot and killed her in front of Payne’s 4-year-old granddaughter.