Residents displaced by Bushwick fire demand suspect be placed in custody pending trial
The call to action comes after residents saw 63-year-old Stanley Garcia walking the streets after being released on bail, despite being charged with multiple counts of second-degree arson.
Residents displaced by Bushwick fire demand suspect be placed in custody pending trial
Former Residents of 127 Evergreen Ave. in Bushwick rallied to call for the suspect behind the destruction of their home to be placed in detention prior to his trial.
The call to action comes after residents saw 63-year-old Stanley Garcia walking the streets after being released on bail, despite being charged with multiple counts of second-degree arson after setting fire to his home on July 16th, displacing all 8 families within the residence.
Those residents, now living in shelters across the city, say if they cannot return to their now ruined homes, Garcia should not be allowed to return to the streets as he awaits trial.
"It actually put fear in me seeing this man walk up and on Knickerbocker Avenue as if he did nothing was the scariest thing. because this man. He not only hurt us physically, but he hurt us emotionally," said resident Lilia Soriano.
Soriano says many residents are suffering from smoke inhalation, lung damage and are having trouble sleeping due to the trauma of the incident.
She says her and others will go before a grand jury on August 28th, working with Brooklyn ADA Veniamin Privalov to give impact statements, and the full scope of the damage Garcia caused, hoping to get stiffer charges, including attempted murder, as they say Garcia barricaded the doors preventing residents from leaving after setting his room on fire.
"I hope this man pays for what he did because it's not just my family, but multiple the families they come out affected." she said.
Garcia is scheduled to appear in court on November 4th in Kings County Criminal Court.
News 12 reached out to ADA Privalov for this story and did not hear back.
