NEW YORK -- A man accused of assaulting an MTA employee nearly two years ago was back in criminal court Tuesday.Transit officials also showed up in solidarity with the victim and his family. The head of the MTA stood alongside Anthony Nelson, who said he is still recovering from his injuries. Back in August 2022, police said Alexander Wright was harassing riders at the Pelham Bay subway station. Nelson, who was working as a cleaner, tried to step in, when Wright turned and attacked him.
'Just working toward the recovery, doing the best I can, physical therapy, with the assistance of my family,' he said Tuesday. 'Attacks on MTA workers have to be treated with the utmost seriousness. That means real penalties, that means dealing with recidivism, it means people can't come back into the system and attack MTA workers again and again,' MTA Chair Janno Lieber said.