The suspected mugger who heisted $19 from a 9-year-old boy on an errand to buy soap for his mom was released from jail because the Bronx DA’s Office was unable to indict him for the crime.
Michael Johnson, 54, smiled and happily hugged his brother after Judge George Villegas ordered his release because the DA’s Office was unable to get indictment within the required 144 hours after his arrest.
“The defendant has provided an alibi,” Assistant Bronx DA Paul Irace, said in a meek voice. “The DA is not prepared to meet the burden of proof.”
Irace said the case is still under investigation – but it is becoming apparent that traumatized mugging victim Jaky Saunders may have misidentified Johnson as his lawyer has insisted during the arraignment.
Johnson and his lawyer Bunmi Adeseun refused to comment.
Johnson faced third-degree robbery, larceny and endangering the welfare of a child for the heartless August 8th mugging of Jaky who was accosted in the lobby of his East 183rd Street building.
The grandfather of four children faced the maximum of seven years.
Johnson is not out of the woods yet and still remains charged. Tim Johnson, 47, insisted that his brother would never hurt a child.
“I think it’s a heinous charge, I think it’s terrible what happened to this 9 year old boy. But I know for a fact that my brother didn’t carry out such a thing,” Tim Johnson said.
“I think it s a travesty what happened.”
A spokesman for the Bronx DA’s office refused to comment. Johnson returns to court October 4th.