Family members of the deadly 2019 Sheepshead Bay hammer attack and other community members expressed outrage by the criminal court’s decision not to charge the suspect, Arthur Martunovich, with murder.
Demanding justice: The New York criminal court decided on Aug. 5 not to charge the then-34-year-old because he was suffering from mental health conditions, Assemblymember William Colton (D-NY) said, News12 The Bronx reported.
- The court also suggested Martunovich be “transferred to undergo treatment.”
- Family members of the victims, who held a meeting with Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzales on Monday, called the latest ruling “unacceptable.”
- “We are doing everything possible to ensure this defendant will never be free to hurt anyone else by keeping him isolated in a secure facility for possibly the rest of his life,” a spokesperson from the Brooklyn DA’s Office said.
- Colton spoke with community members at a press conference on Tuesday, ensuring justice will be served, according to World Journal.
The details: Martunovich attacked and killed three staff of the Seaport Buffet on Emmons Avenue, Brooklyn, on Jan. 15, 2019.
- The victims were identified as 60-year-old restaurant owner Kheong Ng-Thang, 50-year-old manager Tsz Mat Pun and 34-year-old chef Fufai Pun.
- Martunovich was arrested without incident two blocks away from the scene. Investigators discovered the suspect had “problems with Asian men” and how they treat Asian women, New York Post reported.
- The suspect initially faced charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and second-degree murder as a hate crime, but plead not guilty in February 2019.
- He was held at a psychiatric ward at Kings County Hospital at the time of his arrest.
Featured Image via News12 The Bronx (left), ABC7NY (right)
