On Wednesday, December 7, a Manhattan judge let one of the two men accused of plotting to attack New York City synagogues continue to walk free, after prosecutors asked that he be jailed without bail.
Mahrer appears in court on December 7. (Credit: New York Post)
Matthew Mahrer, 22, appeared in court for the second time after being charged for multiple offenses related to the antisemitic threat which he planned with Christopher Brown, 21. Mahrer was initially released on bail at the end of November, continunig to reside at his family’s home on the Upper West Side.
“We now know that Mahrer, [accused accomplice Christopher] Brown and [a] third individual, drove to Pennsylvania on November 18 to purchase a firearm. That individual who drove with them has since been arrested by federal authorities,” said Assistant District Attorney Edward Burns. He added that prior to his arrest on November 19, Mahrer had been sending an unnamed jailbird payments for the gun he and Brown planned to use in the would-be attacks.
Mahrer’s defense attorney explained that Mahrer suffers from bipolar disorder and autism.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Neil Ross sided with the defense, but warned that Mahrer must continue to appear in court — or his family will be forced to forfeit the bail money they already paid, telling Mahrer to “make sure you understand that this is the most important obligation that you’ve had in your life.”
According to the New York Post, Mahrer was later seen casually puffing a vape pen — and smirking — as he strolled free with his lawyer in Lower Manhattan. Mahrer will likely continue to reside at his family’s home on the Upper West Side.
Following Mahrer’s release, District Attorney Alvin Bragg explained why they had twice asked for Mahrer to be remanded.
“We requested a remand at the initial arraignment. We requested it today based on the seriousness of the facts when we made our application,” he said, adding. “The judge ruled. He added that it was “important” to note that Mahrer’s co-consiprator had been held without bail last month.
