Michael Crosland, a career criminal with at least 25 prior arrests, was arrested in Brooklyn on charges of assaulting a woman in a random attack on a subway car. The assault took place on a Q train at the Stillwell Avenue station, where Crosland allegedly punched and kicked the victim multiple times. Following the attack, he set some papers on fire inside the subway car and then ignited a blaze in a platform trash can. Despite the violent nature of the attack, Crosland was released the next day due to New York’s lax bail laws, as none of the charges he faced were bail eligible.
The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the terrifying incident where Crosland approached her and another woman on the train and started throwing kicks and punches. Initially, they thought he was joking, but as the assault escalated, they realized the seriousness of the situation. Another girl who witnessed the attack described Crosland as being “possessed.” Fortunately, the victim credits a heavy jacket she was wearing with preventing any serious injuries. She expressed fear of encountering Crosland again at the Stillwell station and believes that prison may be the best place for him to be.
Despite the severity of his criminal history, most of Crosland’s prior arrests are related to drugs, with his most recent arrest before this incident being in 2009 for unauthorized use of a vehicle. He has also been arrested for assault in Brooklyn in 1999. During his arraignment in Brooklyn court, Crosland was given supervised release due to the non-bail eligible charges he faced in the recent assault case. The victim, a resident of Brighton Beach who moved from Oklahoma two years ago, expressed concern about running into Crosland again and the lack of consequences he faced for the attack.
Following his release, the victim stated that she is likely to avoid taking the train at the Stillwell station to minimize the risk of encountering Crosland again. She believes that going to prison may actually be a favor for him, given his history of violent behavior. While the victim acknowledges that Crosland did not resist arrest and encouraged other passengers to call the police, she remains fearful of the possibility of encountering him in the future. The incident highlights the challenges posed by New York’s bail laws, which allow individuals with prior criminal records to be released on supervised release despite the violent nature of their offenses.
Overall, the case involving Michael Crosland underscores the implications of New York’s lax bail laws on public safety and the criminal justice system. Despite his extensive criminal history and the violent nature of the assault he committed, Crosland was released the next day due to the non-bail eligible charges he faced. The victim’s fear of encountering him again and the lack of consequences he faced for the attack raise questions about the effectiveness of the current bail system in deterring repeat offenders. As the debate over bail reform continues, cases like Crosland’s highlight the need for a balanced approach to address the complexities of criminal justice and public safety to ensure the well-being of all community members.
