Assault Victim Criticizes Justice System After Alleged Kidnapper Attack
A woman assaulted on an MTA bus expresses frustration with the legal system after her alleged attacker, previously involved in multiple misdemeanor cases, was later accused of attempting to kidnap a child.
Thomasina Guzman, 62, who was allegedly assaulted on an MTA bus on Aug. 19, has spoken out against the justice system, stating her attacker, Chrissy Payne, should not have been free to allegedly attempt to kidnap a 4-year-old boy a month later. Payne was arrested for the alleged attempted kidnapping on September 14.
Prosecutors stated that during the bus assault, Payne yelled, "I don’t want to sit next to no white B-word." At the time of the bus incident, Payne had three other open misdemeanor assault cases, including one previously classified as a hate crime. According to reports, she was released without bail in these cases due to state laws that limited judges' ability to detain defendants.
Following the attack on Guzman, Payne allegedly approached a 4-year-old boy and his grandmother outside a Brooklyn McDonald's on Sept. 14. Prosecutors said Payne told the child, "Come with Mama." The child was reportedly saved by his mother, an off-duty police officer, who intervened.
Payne was subsequently arrested on felony attempted kidnapping charges and also faced charges related to the assault on Guzman. She is currently being held on Rikers Island on $50,000 bail. In addition to these charges, Payne faces accusations in other incidents, including allegedly assaulting a 35-year-old woman in July, punching a 78-year-old woman on a city bus, and pulling a 66-year-old woman to the ground after grabbing her hair in April. She also faces charges for petty larceny and possession of stolen property.
Guzman expressed her fear and disappointment with the legal system, stating, "What are they waiting for? For her to have a weapon the next time and kill someone?" She added, "There aren’t any consequences for criminals." Guzman also noted her ongoing concern about safety, particularly when using public transportation.
Erick Guzman, Thomasina's son, echoed his mother's sentiments, questioning the leniency in the legal process. "They're giving this bully a slap on the wrist every time. It’s insane to happen that many times," he said. Heriberto Guzman, Thomasina's husband, mentioned that she has become more vigilant when in public and took a trip to the Dominican Republic following the attack.
Thomasina Guzman stated her relief that Payne is incarcerated but remains apprehensive about her potential release. "I am disappointed in the way the criminal system is being handled in the city," she said. "Anyone can commit a crime, cry a mental-health excuse and get released. They continue to harm, they continue to kill people, and nothing happens."