Repeat Offenders Released Without Bail After Attacking NYC Elderly Woman

An elderly woman in New York City is recovering from a violent attack, but the community is outraged that her attackers have been released without bail.

At a Glance

Two individuals accused of assaulting an 82-year-old woman in the Bronx were released without bail.
The suspects have a combined total of 18 prior arrests and were charged with assault.
Prosecutors requested $30,000 cash bail or $90,000 bond for each defendant.
Judges Eugene Bowen and Craig Ortner released the suspects on supervised release.
The victim’s family expressed outrage over the decision.

Attackers Walk Free Without Bail, Sparking Outrage

Two individuals, William Ballinger and Tammie Moore, accused of assaulting an 82-year-old woman in the Bronx, were released without bail. The decision has caused widespread concern within the community about the safety of its residents.

The suspects have a combined total of 18 prior arrests. They were charged with second- and third-degree assault for the August 2 attack. Prosecutors had requested $30,000 cash bail or $90,000 bond for each defendant, but Judges Eugene Bowen and Craig Ortner released the suspects on supervised release instead.

Two "brutes" accused of randomly pummeling an 82-year-old woman on a Bronx street have been released without bail — despite the pair having a combined 18 prior arrests.

William Ballinger and Tammie Moore were arrested last week and charged with second-and third-degree assault… pic.twitter.com/ksJNtGhurr

— Crime In NYC (@CrimeInNYC) August 19, 2024

Family Outraged Over Judges’ Decision

The family of the elderly victim expressed their outrage over the judges’ decision. “Why would they do that?” the elderly woman’s daughter questioned. Family members fear for the safety of the community now that the attackers are free to roam.

“I think they should be kept in jail,” she told The Post. “Now that they’re loose, who knows what they’re going to do next. They could do something else. They have handicapped my mom from going out. If she goes out now, who knows.”

Vicious duo who allegedly pummeled elderly woman on NYC street freed without bail https://t.co/vTxiWTUVYH pic.twitter.com/jbTofSxDqO

— New York Post (@nypost) August 19, 2024

A Pattern of Controversial Decisions

The suspects Ballinger and Moore attacked the elderly woman near East 212th Street and White Plains Road. The vicious assault resulted in the elderly woman being punched and stomped on. Despite her critical condition, she was eventually transported to Jacobi Medical Center in stable condition.

Both Ballinger and Moore have extensive criminal backgrounds, with eight and ten prior arrests, respectively. Ballinger’s history includes a recent arrest for drunk driving, while Moore’s prior arrests are mostly for petit larceny. Judge Bowen, one of the judges who released the attackers, has a history of controversial decisions, including releasing individuals accused of assaulting a police officer.

The suspects are scheduled to reappear in court on October 9. The community remains apprehensive while waiting for justice to be served.

Implications for Public Safety

The legal system’s decisions have raised questions about its role in protecting vulnerable citizens. “We don’t comment on release or bail decisions except to say that in cases like these in New York, judges have discretion in making these decisions in accordance with the law and based solely on an individualized assessment of a defendant’s risk of flight,” said Al Baker, spokesman for the state Office of Court Administration, in a statement.

The community and the victim’s family are left questioning how effective the justice system is in preventing recurring criminal activities. The need for more stringent measures to protect society’s most vulnerable members is abundantly clear.