NYC bail reform poster boy Pedro Hernandez jailed in Manhattan attempted murder case; cop he sued escorted him to courthouse holding cell
Ex-bail reform poster boy Pedro Hernandez was back in a jail cell on Tuesday facing attempted murder charges — and in an odd coincidence, he was led to a holding cell by an NYPD officer he has accused of assault and wrongful arrest.
At his Manhattan Criminal Court arraignment, Hernandez unexpectedly came face-to-face with Detective David Terrell, who Hernandez has sued twice.
Terrell, a 20-year NYPD veteran, has been stationed in Manhattan Criminal Court arraignments since being placed on desk duty several years ago.
Terrell said that after a judge ordered Hernandez held without bail, he brought Hernandez to the courthouse holding cells.
The detective described Hernandez as quiet and “f---ing vicious.”
“I never had no problem with Pedro,” Terrell told the Daily News. “Jail may be the only thing that’s good for him ... He’s never had any guidance.”
Hernandez’s civil lawyer, Andrew Laufer, said he was outraged to learn of the courthouse reunion and Terrell’s comments and said he should have disclosed he was in litigation.
“He’s the main defendant. He should be nowhere near my client. He should not be touching my client, in contact with my client, processing my client — doing anything with my client,” said Laufer. “That is just completely inappropriate.”
Laufer said the case against Terrell and the city had reached a “significant” stage in settlement talks.
The Law Department declined comment.
Bronx resident Hernandez, 22, was arrested Monday at his mother’s home in Williamsbridge. He was arraigned Tuesday before Manhattan Judge Michael Gaffey on attempted murder and weapons charges for an Aug. 28 shooting near St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Prosecutors said that after losing his money and jewelry in a game of three-card monte, Hernandez followed the winner to his car and fired a bullet through the driver’s window.
“Thankfully, the shot missed both of the complainants,” Assistant District Attorney Jennifer El-Fakir said at Hernandez’s arraignment.
Hernandez then jumped into the back of a black BMW to the Palace Hotel, El-Fakir said, and chased the man in his vehicle, who ultimately dropped his things and ran when the chase resumed on foot.
El-Fakir said CCTV captured the chaotic pursuit. She cited an open assault charge Hernandez faces in Puerto Rico and a handgun possession case in New Jersey. His criminal defense attorney, Andre Travieso, said Hernandez denies all accusations.
Dubbed the poster child for bail reform after he spent a year behind bars because he couldn’t raise $100,000 bail to be freed on charges that stemmed from a 2016 shooting, Hernandez briefly had his name cleared when the Bronx DA dropped the case.
He’s since been arrested at least five times for a litany of alleged offenses, which his lawyers claim is a continuation of targeted harassment by the NYPD.
Hernandez faces up to 25 years if convicted of the new attempted murder charge.
