Morning Wire XX
[0] Increased violence and soft -on -crime policies are fueling outrage at Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.
[1] Now Bragg is facing calls to resign over his decision to bring murder charges against a convenience store clerk who says he stabbed his attacker in self -defense.
[2] I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor -in -chief John Bickley.
[3] It's July 9th, and this is your Saturday edition of Morning Wire.
[4] WNBA player Brittany Greiner pleaded guilty to drug charges in a Russian court.
[5] this week.
[6] We have the latest on her case and her letter to President Biden.
[7] And credit unions are a staple of small town USA, but now Congress is imposing new ESG rules that may cripple their industry.
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[19] Manhattan, DA, Alvin Bragg, came under fire this week after his decision to charge a bodega clerk with murder.
[20] After the clerk fended off an attacker with a box cutter.
[21] Despite significant outcry from the community, the clerk was held at Riker's prison for a week before his family was able to postpone.
[22] Jose Alba had reportedly worked in bodegas for more than 30 years in his Harlem neighborhood and became a U .S. citizen 14 years ago.
[23] Here to discuss the case is Daily Wire Senior Editor Ash Short.
[24] So, Ash, first off, what exactly happened here?
[25] So 62 -year -old Jose Alba was working his bodega on July 1st, when a woman came in and tried to buy a bag of chips for her 10 -year -old daughter.
[26] The woman's EBT card was declined, and the woman claimed Alba snatched the chips from her daughter.
[27] To retaliate, she knocked over items on the counter and went to get her boyfriend, 34 -year -old Austin Simon.
[28] Simon returned to the store with her, storm behind the counter, and shoved Alba.
[29] Surveillance footage shows Simon berating Alba, shoving him into a wall.
[30] Alba falls backwards and lands in a chair.
[31] Throughout most of the encounter, Simon is standing over Alba, who remains passive in that chair.
[32] All of this is happening in a very small space behind the counter.
[33] When Alba stands up and attempts to walk past Simon to exit the space, Simon grabs him from behind.
[34] Alba then swings an arm around and manages to slash at Simon's neck with a box cutter in his hand.
[35] The two men struggle out of frame.
[36] At some point during the fight, Simon's girlfriend also allegedly stabbed Alba in his shoulder.
[37] However, unlike Alba, she has not been charged.
[38] Simon died later of his injuries at the hospital.
[39] Alba reportedly stabbed Simon five times.
[40] So if there is surveillance footage showing self -defense, why was he being held at Rikers?
[41] That's unclear.
[42] He's being prosecuted by controversial Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who requested $500 ,000 bail for Alba.
[43] Keep in mind, Alba immigrated to the U .S. from the Dominican Republic more than 30 years ago and has no criminal history.
[44] Alba's bail was initially reduced by the judge to $250 ,000, which his family couldn't afford.
[45] But on Thursday, the judge further reduced the clerk's bail to $50 ,000, which only needed a $5 ,000 bond promptly paid by his family.
[46] Alba has to wear a monitoring device and can only travel within the five New York boroughs.
[47] He's due back in court July 20th.
[48] Now, what's interesting is DA Alvin Bragg is notorious for reducing charges and setting very low bail.
[49] So why is he coming down so hard on Alba?
[50] Again, we just don't know.
[51] New York's bail reform law and policies have allowed violent offenders to be released to the streets.
[52] And Bragg has been known to routinely reduce felony charges to misdemeanors.
[53] But for some reason, Alba, who again has no criminal history, is getting the book thrown at him, even though video shows he acted in self -defense.
[54] In court, prosecutors argued that Alba was a flight risk because he already had a planned trip to the Dominican Republic coming up.
[55] Bragg has said in a statement that his office is still reviewing the evidence and that the investigation is ongoing.
[56] Still, Alba faces a grand jury indictment.
[57] One fact that may help the clerk is that Simon, the younger man who initially attacked Alba, has a lengthy criminal history and had recently been released on parole from prison for a previous violent attack.
[58] That's actually part of the reason this story is getting so much coverage.
[59] critics of the DA say Bragg has a soft spot for criminals like Simon and that in this case that's working against Alba.
[60] As the New York Post put it on Thursday, quote, what Alvin Bragg is practicing isn't justice, it's madness.
[61] Police are villains, criminals are heroes, and victims are told to accept their fate, end quote.
[62] New York Mayor Eric Adams came to the defense of Alba, calling him a hardworking innocent New Yorker, but he declined to weigh in on the charges.
[63] Well, we're definitely going to be following this case, Ash, thanks for reporting.
[64] You're welcome.
[65] That's Daily Wire Senior Editor, Ash Short.
[66] Coming up, WNBA star Brittany Griner pleads guilty in Russian court.
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[70] WNBA Center, Brittany Griner, who has been detained in Moscow since February, pleaded guilty Thursday to bringing a cannabis product into Russia.
[71] Here to tell us more, a sports reporter and Crane & Company co -host David Cohn.
[72] Hi, David.
[73] So there have been many developments this week in Brittany Griner's felony trial.
[74] What is the status of her detention?
[75] So Brittany Griner's trial began last Friday, but the big news came Thursday during her second day in court when she pleaded guilty to the charges of bringing her.
[76] Ashish oil into Russia.
[77] Griner told the judge, I'd like to plead guilty, Your Honor, but there was no intent.
[78] I didn't want to break the law.
[79] Keep in mind, John, this comes just days after Griner pinned a letter directly to President Biden, imploring him to assist in her release.
[80] Right.
[81] That letter really drew a lot of attention to the case.
[82] Was the full letter made public?
[83] Portions were made public by both Griner's family and the administration.
[84] She began that letter by saying, quote, as I sit here in Russian prison alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I'm terrified.
[85] I might be here forever.
[86] I realize you, talking about President Biden, are dealing with so much, but please don't forget about me and the other American detainees.
[87] Please do all you can to bring us home.
[88] I voted for the first time in 2020, and I voted for you.
[89] I believe in you.
[90] I still have so much good to do with my freedom that you can help restore.
[91] I'm grateful for whatever you can do at this moment to get me