A parolee accused of shoving an elderly woman onto subway tracks in Midtown engaged in a profane outburst while awaiting arraignment Tuesday evening in Manhattan Criminal Court. Zaki Smith, 36, directed his tirade at a court officer, shouting, "Don’t touch me."
Smith continued his tirade, saying, "Get shot at, bro. I don’t give a f–k what you’ll do, I’ll run my mouth. The cuffs are on, I’ll break them, I’ll do it right here. You’re not about to shoot me with the ‘f—ing gun.’ I ain’t doing nothing!"
His behavior led to him being escorted from the courtroom and taken to a hospital, which delayed his court appearance. Smith was arrested Monday evening in connection with the Saturday attack at the 57th Street and Seventh Avenue station. The 70-year-old victim sustained a head wound, according to police.
Authorities stated Smith, who has 14 previous arrests, was additionally charged with felony and misdemeanor assault for the shove. The incident left the victim with a cut on her head and required her to be helped onto the platform.