An Arizona prosecutor remains steadfast in her decision not to hand over a murder suspect to the Manhattan DA. She expressed her lack of trust in him to ensure that the accused killer remains in custody.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated in an interview with “Fox & Friends” that she intends to prosecute Raad Almansoori for two violent felonies within her jurisdiction before considering transferring him to New York. Mitchell’s remarks sparked a response from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who criticized her for “grandstanding” and “playing politics.”
During a press conference, Bragg expressed his frustration with County DA Mitchell, stating that she has consistently made incorrect decisions. He also criticized her for expressing concern about the potential release of a murder suspect in Manhattan.
“I can’t speak for what they do in Arizona, but here in New York County, we consistently seek and successfully obtain remand for individuals involved in murder cases,” he stated. “These are the facts.”
According to him, the number of shootings has decreased by 38% and murders have decreased by 24% during his tenure. He also highlighted that the murder rate in New York City is less than half of Phoenix’s.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Mitchell initiated the feud and continued to criticize Bragg on Fox on Thursday. Mitchell once again highlighted Bragg’s reputation for being soft on crime, particularly in relation to the arrest of Almansoori in Arizona.
Arizona prosecutor criticizes District Attorney Bragg for being “soft on crime” and refuses to extradite a suspect in the Soho hotel murder back to New York City.
Mitchell emphasized that her top priority is ensuring the well-being and safety of the victims, and she is committed to keeping the perpetrator in custody.
According to Mitchell, Almansoori will not escape justice in New York City, but Bragg will have to wait until she is certain that he will remain in prison.
“I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the victim in New York,” she emphasized.
“We want to make it clear to the public that we are not stating that he will never face prosecution in New York for his actions. However, we are prioritizing our case, so that when we successfully secure a prison sentence, it must be upheld when he is extradited to New York City.”
A Colorado mother, who is accused of killing two of her children, has requested a delay in her custody hearing. She claims that she needs time to heal before facing the legal proceedings.
Almansoori, a criminal with records in Florida and Texas, traveled to Arizona where he allegedly committed two assaults, one of which involved attempted murder. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 21 years, according to authorities in Maricopa County.
Bragg attempted to extradite Almansoori to New York to confront murder allegations in the Soho incident. However, Mitchell delivered a surprising announcement on Wednesday that changed the course of the situation.
During a press conference, she firmly stated, “I have directed my extradition attorneys to refuse that request. We will ensure that he remains here. These prison sentences are compulsory. After witnessing the handling of violent offenders by the Manhattan DA, Alvin Bragg, in the New York area, I believe it is safer to keep him in our jurisdiction.”
During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Mitchell highlighted Bragg’s choice to release a group of migrants who were accused of assaulting two NYPD officers near Times Square as evidence of the district attorney’s lenient approach to his responsibilities.
Mitchell made an erroneous citation of reports that have since been refuted. These reports claimed that the migrants had fled New York for Arizona. However, all the migrants have been brought back to Manhattan court and have been ordered to be held on substantial bail amounts.
On February 6, federal immigration authorities in Arizona clarified that a group of migrants apprehended there were not the individuals responsible for the assault on New York’s Finest. The attackers, who were seeking asylum, were subsequently apprehended and taken into custody.
Bragg’s office swiftly responded to Mitchell’s remarks on Wednesday, condemning the Maricopa County prosecutor for exploiting the case and disregarding the well-being of Almansoori’s victims.
Emily Tuttle, a representative for Bragg, expressed deep concern over DA Mitchell’s use of political tactics in a murder investigation. Tuttle emphasized that the safety of New Yorkers is a top priority in Manhattan, and under D.A. Bragg’s leadership, murder rates have decreased by 24% and shootings have decreased by 38%.
According to Tuttle, the murder rate in New York is less than half of that in Phoenix, Arizona. He credits this to the dedicated efforts of the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies. Tuttle strongly believes that denying them the opportunity to pursue justice and hold the responsible party accountable for a New Yorker’s death is not only disrespectful to them but also to the victim involved in their case.
During his Thursday press conference, Bragg took it upon himself to raise the stakes and level accusations against Mitchell, claiming that she was engaging in nothing more than “simple old-fashioned grandstanding and politics.”
“I find it incredibly troubling that someone who is part of my profession, someone who is in law enforcement, would decide to engage in political maneuvering in a murder case,” he expressed. “Our focus should be on the victims, their families – that’s the essence of our work here in Manhattan.”
According to him, extradition proceedings between states are usually handled through a simple phone conversation as a matter of common courtesy. In these cases, murder cases are usually given priority over other crimes.
He emphasized the importance of having regular professional conversations about the practical aspects of law administration. He stated, “That’s what we need to do.”