Councilman calls for judge's removal after releasing criminal who harmed police officer: "Judgment deficiency"

A Queens judge displayed a "remarkable lack of discernment" by releasing a seasoned offender who, on Tuesday, harmed two individuals, including a police officer, in New York City.

Councilman Robert Holden, a Democrat, is calling on Mayor Eric Adams to push for the resignation of Queens Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels after the judge released Gary Worthy, a 57-year-old man accused of assault and burglary, without bail in August, according to the New York Post's reporting.

According to the NYPD, Worthy was already serving lifetime parole for firearms possession and had over a dozen prior convictions, including murder, robbery, burglary, and narcotics possession.

In April this year, Daniels was appointed to the bench by Adams, a Democrat.

"Judge Daniels, who Mayor Adams called one of the best and brightest, has shown a lack of judgment in his decisions, particularly in denying requests to detain someone with a violent record. This does not align with the integrity needed in our judges. Mayor Adams must act quickly to remove the judge he appointed before more violence occurs, Holden stated in a statement provided to Planet Chronicle Digital."

The mayor's office and the Office of Court Administration have been contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for comment.

On Tuesday, officers responded to reports of armed robberies in Queens and engaged in a shootout with a suspect, authorities said.

In Queens, a man in the Jamaica neighborhood resisted two police officers who tried to stop him, firing one shot that hit an officer in the thigh. The officer, Rich Wong, retaliated and fatally shot the man, identified as Worthy.

Officials stated that Wong will likely recover from the shootout, while a 26-year-old woman who was also injured in the leg is expected to survive, according to police.

Less than a week ago, Worthy was arrested for alleged narcotics possession and resisting arrest, but was later released. Additionally, he is wanted for three other gunpoint robberies this year, police said.

The criminal justice system of the city failed in handling Worthy's previous charges, according to Adams.

"Although we appreciate their recovery, we are furious that a repeat offender who had 7 arrests since 2021 and was previously convicted of manslaughter was able to commit two robberies and shoot two people tonight," Adams wrote on social media.

This report was contributed to by Christina Shaw of Planet Chronicle Digital and the Associated Press.