Brooklyn: An accused killer and reputed gang member is free on the streets of New York City, less than a week after allegedly beating Jose Zambrano so badly he would die in the hospital. The alleged attacker is still only charged with a misdemeanor in the case.
“I am Jose Zambrano from Venezuela.”
The 26-year-old was just starting to make a name for himself in the world of video game development.
“This creativity just bursting out of him and he had such an infectious personality. So it’s no surprise he quickly went from being a member of our community to a leader of our community,” colleague Dan Butchko said.
Zambrano had even started his own business, using video games as a way to bring to people together.
“Being in New York you get people from all over the place… games in this case, I want to show that they can transcend language,” the late Zambrano said in a video.
His passion would end all too soon.
Police say Zambrano was beaten unconscious near Grand and Havemeyer Streets in Williamsburg on Nov. 17 after leaving a neighborhood bar.
Witnesses say this man, 25-year-old Joshua Hernandez, approached him for a cigarette but when Zambrano refused he was attacked, beaten senseless, and left unconscious on the ground.
Hernandez was arrested and charged with 2nd degree assault, but four days later, Zambrano died of his injuries.
Despite that, Hernandez was released, free on $10,000 bond, and his charges were never upgraded beyond the initial misdemeanor assault.
“It’s obviously outrageous and it’s so senseless,” Dan Butchko said.
Police sources say Hernandez is a known member of the Latin Kings gang. His criminal history includes several sealed arrests.
Those CBS2 has discovered include an assault on a police officer in 2015 and an assault on a 15-year-old girl with hammer in 2014.
The Brooklyn District Attorney wouldn’t release an official comment on the ongoing case, but sources say it will be up to a grand jury to decide if the charges should be upgraded to include homicide.
CBS2 was not able to speak to Hernandez at his home.
Meanwhile, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate Zambrano’s life and the legacy he leaves behind.
“Obviously we’re all so angry and frustrated and upset with how he passed but it’s on us to make sure that his memory lives on, not in the way he passed but in the way he lived,” Butchko told CBS2’s Valerie Castro.
The city medical examiner’s office has not released an official cause of death in this case yet. As for Hernandez, he is due back in court later this month.
Credit: CBS2
Bail reform. Keeping criminals safe since inception.
If he was charged with murder he wouldnt be getting out…….
Oh good. We can all feel a little safer now.
Seriously why, tell me why!
Joann Allegro Crossley it’s infuriating
Well if he is only being charged with a misdemeanor then that is why ….
You cant make this nonsense up
He Will Get What He Gives its Called Krama N God????????????????????
But I thought minorities were jailed regardless of their crimes. Especially when it is a felony ????????♂️????????♀️????????♂️
WTF?
Thank you democrats for voting for Phil Murphy the commie who
Entices this- he too let out an illegal rapist in NJ
Ester Rozdowski guess what..it’s not just the Democrats. It’s the Republicans too. 99% of politicians are idiots.
Ester Rozdowski where does it say he was an illegal? Neither the criminal nor the victim were here illegally. There is enough reality in this to be mad at. No need to add shit that’s not even there.
Christina Rossman where does it say he wasn t??
Christina Rossman do you pay high property taxes? I do do u know each inmate cost taxpayers 45,000 per inmate per year ? But NY n NJ w 2 ????????s running them will add to those numbers by being sanctuary states – our NJ governor already releasing illegal criminals as to cater to the Latino community as well as illegals driving to keep the socialist party going so just some added ????that you should be aware of ! ????
Desiree Domer I’m sure Kim Gudiano would not have NJ illegals driving w licenses n make us a sanctuary state to run welfare, snap cards n section 8 up on our tax dollars … keep toking
After 18 years in behind the scene politics I don’t think much of them either. Most are in it for easy money.
George Oakes ????
Good job democrats
Ryan Hatch not just democrats. ????????♀️
Maybe someone the the street will take cate if him before the taxpayers do
Wth
Democrats love having gang bangers and child molesters run wild and free.
Run him over
When you elect people like De Blassio, AOC and Murphy this is what you get.
There needs to be more Bernard Goetz on the streets.
Black and Gold, never fold, Amore deray manito.
Hopefully someone on the streets will take care of this problem. I can guarantee if he did this to one of my kids they’d never find this guys body. ????
I’m sure he will show up for his trial..(sarcasm)
Attorney generals and judges should be charged for crimes committed by people they enable