The sicko who allegedly knifed a postal worker during a spat at a Harlem deli confessed to the shocking slaying — unapologetically declaring that the father-of-two “deserved it,” prosecutors said Thursday.
A packed courtroom greeted Jaia Cruz, 24, after she was indicted on a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of USPS postman Ray Hodges, 36, who prosecutors said confronted her about cutting him on line at the deli counter inside the bodega.
The hearing and court filings revealed chilling new details about the broad daylight Jan. 2 melee at Joe’s Deli Grocery, including Cruz’s alleged shameless admission as Hodges lay dying.
“When the decedent collapsed to the ground, a witness heard [Cruz] state, ‘He deserved it,’” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Clerkin said during the hearing.
Cruz, who pleaded not guilty, was ordered held without bail by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro.
Her attorney, Mitchell Schuman, of New York County Defender Services, grew heated over the prosecutor’s picture of the incident.
Schuman contended Cruz, a transgender woman, was “harassed” by Hodges — whom he painted as the aggressor.
He said video showed Hodges hurled slurs at Cruz, and that she only used the pocket knife — which she bought at a dollar store moments before the altercation, prosecutors claimed — after she felt threatened.
Hodges took off his jacket in the video, “the international symbol in New York City for ‘Let’s go, we’re going to fight,’ and rolls up his sleeves and hits her,’” Schuman told the court.
“While he’s still berating her, he called her a f—-t and a t—-y and she spit on him.”
The attorney’s claim that Cruz defended herself from hateful harassment sparked outrage in the crowded courtroom gallery — which was divided between Hodges’ friends, family and fellow postal workers, and the accused killer’s allies.
One of Hodges’ supporters yelled “f–k outta here” before he was escorted from the courtroom.
Court papers contended that Cruz admitted to stabbing Hodges in rambling, slur-filled statements to cops and DA investigators after her arrest.
She said she distrusted black men such as Hodges and “blacked out” during the fight, according to the filings.
“I’m trying to feel guilty, but I’m not really guilty,” she said, according to the papers. “I’m tired, I woke up in a bad mood today. People trying to start with me. I’m like, come on!
“I hope he’s maggot food. I killed him laughing, oh well.”
Hodges had stab injuries to the lung, liver and blood vessels, prosecutors said.
Cruz was arrested at least five times before the run-in, including incidents in which she waved an open box cutter in Midtown and used a knife to steal a man’s phone and wallet, sources have told The Post.
She was also captured on video being brutally beaten and robbed by two men on an East Harlem street in June.
Her next court appearance is April 16.
“This alleged broad-daylight stabbing shook the neighborhood, including the deli workers and customers who witnessed the attack,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “My thoughts are with those grieving the loss of Ray Hodge, a postal worker and beloved father of two.”
