Friday, May 30, 2025
Beyond the Crime Scene
  • Home
  • News
  • True Crime Stories
  • Videos
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • True Crime Stories
  • Videos
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Beyond the Crime Scene
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Sicko who allegedly killed postal worker during NYC deli spat made chilling confession: DA

by
January 26, 2025
in News
0
Sicko who allegedly killed postal worker during NYC deli spat made chilling confession: DA
189
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter



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.

Jaia Cruz, 24, pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge. Steven Hirsch
Ray Hodges was killed in the broad daylight Jan. 2 fight inside a Harlem deli. Stacy Rice/Facebook

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.

Cruz’s attorney contended Hodges was the aggressor. Steven Hirsch

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.

Hodges’ fellow postal workers attended the hearing Thursday. Brigitte Stelzer

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.

Video footage showed Cruz being brutally beaten during the spring last year. Facebook Sama Beezly

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.”



Source link

Related articles

FBI analyst Brian Vincent Rausch charged with having child sex abuse videos

FBI analyst Brian Vincent Rausch charged with having child sex abuse videos

May 30, 2025
NYC newborn's family claims she died from SIDS after ME confirmed pit bull wasn't culprit

NYC newborn’s family claims she died from SIDS after ME confirmed pit bull wasn’t culprit

May 30, 2025
Tags: crimeharlemmanhattan supreme courtMetromurdersstabbingsUS News
Share76Tweet47
Previous Post

Hundreds of NYC cops being moved underground: NYPD docs

Next Post

‘I just ran after him’

Related Posts

FBI analyst Brian Vincent Rausch charged with having child sex abuse videos

FBI analyst Brian Vincent Rausch charged with having child sex abuse videos

by
May 30, 2025
0

An FBI analyst was arrested after investigators discovered multiple videos depicting child sexual assault in his possession, according to Texas...

NYC newborn's family claims she died from SIDS after ME confirmed pit bull wasn't culprit

NYC newborn’s family claims she died from SIDS after ME confirmed pit bull wasn’t culprit

by
May 30, 2025
0

A 1-month-old Queens girl died from sudden infant death syndrome before the family pit bull mauled her face in a tragic...

Remembering Tom Robbins, Veteran Reporter Who Exposed Attica Abuses

Remembering Tom Robbins, Veteran Reporter Who Exposed Attica Abuses

by
May 29, 2025
0

Marshall Project contributing writer Tom Robbins died this week at the age of 76. Tom was a mentor and role...

'Crazy eyes' Uber driver who pulled a gun on passenger arrested: cops

‘Crazy eyes’ Uber driver who pulled a gun on passenger arrested: cops

by
May 29, 2025
0

The Florida Uber driver with “crazy eyes” who was caught on camera allegedly pulling a gun on a passenger has...

Guard let 'Devil in the Ozarks’ killer and rapist waltz out of prison, prompting desperate search

Guard let ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ killer and rapist waltz out of prison, prompting desperate search

by
May 29, 2025
0

Police are combing the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas after a prison guard cleared the way for the killer and rapist...

Load More
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
The horrifying rape, torture murder of eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin : True Crime Diva

The horrifying rape, torture murder of eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin : True Crime Diva

May 29, 2023
Drunk driver who killed mother and son blamed the victims, phone calls with father reveal

Drunk driver who killed mother and son blamed the victims, phone calls with father reveal

September 22, 2024
Mackenzie Shirilla

Father of Mackenzie Shirilla’s boyfriend doesn’t support life sentence

August 20, 2023
Karen Styles: map of where a deer hunter found her body

The 1994 murder of Karen Styles

May 9, 2023
The Murder of Latanisha Carmichael – TRUE CRIME REPORT

The Murder of Latanisha Carmichael – TRUE CRIME REPORT

June 7, 2023
The Unsolved Murder of Karina Holmer – TRUE CRIME REPORT

The Unsolved Murder of Karina Holmer – TRUE CRIME REPORT

September 3, 2023
The tragic story of solo traveler Emma Kelty

The tragic story of solo traveler Emma Kelty

May 15, 2023
Karen Styles: map of where a deer hunter found her body

The 1994 murder of Karen Styles

0
Dwane Roy Dreher: photo of his 2nd wife, Lois Genzler Dreher at 16 years old

The 1955 disappearance of U.S. Navy veteran Dwane Roy Dreher

0
Alta Braun: professional photo taken when she was about 4 years old.

The 1917 unsolved murder of Alta Marie Braun

0
Vacation Nightmare: The gruesome murder of Janice Pietropola and Lynn Seethaler

Vacation Nightmare: The gruesome murder of Janice Pietropola and Lynn Seethaler

0
Kristi Nikle: photo of suspect Floyd Tapson

The 1996 disappearance of Kristi Nikle

0
Frank and Tessie Pozar: photo of their son, Frank Pozar, Jr.

Motel Mystery: What happened to Frank and Tessie Pozar?

0
Evil on The Road Part 4: Desmond Joseph Runstedler

Evil on The Road Part 4: Desmond Joseph Runstedler

0
FBI analyst Brian Vincent Rausch charged with having child sex abuse videos

FBI analyst Brian Vincent Rausch charged with having child sex abuse videos

May 30, 2025
NYC newborn's family claims she died from SIDS after ME confirmed pit bull wasn't culprit

NYC newborn’s family claims she died from SIDS after ME confirmed pit bull wasn’t culprit

May 30, 2025
Remembering Tom Robbins, Veteran Reporter Who Exposed Attica Abuses

Remembering Tom Robbins, Veteran Reporter Who Exposed Attica Abuses

May 29, 2025
'Crazy eyes' Uber driver who pulled a gun on passenger arrested: cops

‘Crazy eyes’ Uber driver who pulled a gun on passenger arrested: cops

May 29, 2025
Guard let 'Devil in the Ozarks’ killer and rapist waltz out of prison, prompting desperate search

Guard let ‘Devil in the Ozarks’ killer and rapist waltz out of prison, prompting desperate search

May 29, 2025
Another New Mexico teen arrested in deadly hit-and-run of bicyclist posted on social media

Another New Mexico teen arrested in deadly hit-and-run of bicyclist posted on social media

May 29, 2025
Caves and other mountain hideouts are being searched for fugitive Grant Hardin known as 'Devil in the Ozarks'

Caves and other mountain hideouts are being searched for fugitive Grant Hardin known as ‘Devil in the Ozarks’

May 29, 2025
Beyond the Crime Scene with Bee Astronaut

Categories

  • Featured
  • News
  • Podcast
  • True Crime Stories
  • Videos

Legal Pages

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
  • DMCA

© 2023 All right reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • True Crime Stories
  • Videos
  • Podcast

© 2023 All right reserved.