Crime Victims' Families Criticize NY AG, Rally Behind Challenger

A group of crime victims and their families gathered Tuesday to criticize New York Attorney General Letitia James, expressing anger and a feeling of being overlooked by the current administration. They rallied in support of Republican challenger Saritha Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor who vowed to prioritize victims' concerns if elected.

"In New York today, the reality is, criminals have more of an audience with our elected officials than crime victims," Komatireddy stated during a press conference outside James's Lower Manhattan office. She promised to establish a "Victims Advisory Council" within the Attorney General's office to provide a direct line of communication for victims and their families.

Among those present was Tatiana Brahimi, whose son was killed in a 2016 vehicle collision during a brawl. "Letitia James and all those cronies before her do not care about us. I buried a child. The government doesn’t care. We need people like Saritha, who cares," Brahimi said.

Madeline Brame, who lost two sons—one to a stabbing and another to a drug overdose—also voiced her support for Komatireddy, emphasizing the need for victims and their families to have a "seat at the table." Teresa Bliss, whose son was fatally shot in 2021, described a systemic failure that began with judicial decisions to forgo incarceration for probation, followed by lax enforcement. "This is exactly why victims and surviving families need a permanent voice," she stated. "Because after the most painful, life altering nightmare of our lives, we are asking for one simple thing: to be heard."

New York's 2019 criminal justice reforms, which limit the use of bail for many offenses, were also cited as contributing to public safety concerns. Jennifer Harrison, founder of Victims Rights NY, criticized policies that she believes prioritize offenders over victims.

Komatireddy proposed sending prosecutors from her office to local district attorneys' offices to address victim complaints when cases are perceived to be falling through the cracks. She also pledged to reassign half of the AG's Office's prosecutors to criminal cases.

"Survivors deserve results, not politics," a spokesperson for James responded. "Attorney General Letitia James has always fought for them, including suing the federal government to protect more than $212 million in services for survivors of violent crime. While our opponent stages political events, Attorney General James is at work delivering for every New Yorker."

Komatireddy has also blamed James for recent transit chaos, noting a rise in subway homicides compared to the previous year.