Mom of Slain Boy Endorses AG Opponent, Criticizes James' Focus
Migdalia Martinez, whose 12-year-old son was killed by a stray bullet, appears in an ad backing Republican Saritha Komatireddy.
A Bronx mother whose 12-year-old son was killed by a stray bullet has endorsed Saritha Komatireddy, the Republican challenger to New York Attorney General Letitia James. Migdalia Martinez appears in a new advertisement criticizing James for what she calls an obsession with national politics, rather than focusing on local safety issues.
"Four teenagers were shot in the Bronx in one week, and they said it's the safest summer on record," Martinez says in the ad, referring to her son Jacob Freytes, who was killed in July. "This here is my son, Jacob. He was shot and killed riding his bike to buy a ball. Letitia James has time for national politics, just not for the Bronx."
Martinez, who is not political, stated, "I'm not political, and neither is Saritha. When I met her, I heard somebody who wants change. Saritha is the only person I'll vote for."
The advertisement also features an image of James with Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Jacob Freytes was caught in the crossfire of a street dispute outside a bodega in Mount Eden on July 25. William Ferrer, who has multiple prior arrests dating back to 1999, has been charged in the shooting. Ferrer has pleaded not guilty.
Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, met Martinez after the slaying. Komatireddy stated, "Families like Migdalia’s have paid an unbearable price while New York’s leaders have failed to make public safety the priority it should be. Letitia James has had almost eight years in office and the resources of a statewide law enforcement agency, yet she is failing these families."
Komatireddy added, "New Yorkers are tired of excuses, tired of being told this is normal, and tired of leaders who look the other way while innocent people pay the price. Migdalia deserves better. Jacob deserved better. Every family in New York deserves better."
James, seeking a third term as Attorney General, has previously prosecuted Donald Trump and his company and initiated a sexual misconduct probe into former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Her office states it has removed over 9,500 guns from New York streets and secured billions in settlements from corporations for various offenses, including the opioid epidemic and nursing home neglect.