On Friday, The Daily Caller reported that the man accused of attempting to stab New York Republican Representative and gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin has been released from jail.
The article reports:
David Jakubonis allegedly climbed on stage and attempted to stab Zeldin saying, “you’re done” during a campaign stop in Perinton, New York, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release. Jakubonis was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted assault, then released from jail “on his own recognizance,” the sheriff’s office said.
…Zeldin’s alleged attacker was accosted by AMVETS national Director Joe Chenelly, according to Fox News Digital.
“His right hand came up, I assume out of his pocket, and he had a blade on his hand,” Chenelly told Fox News Digital. “His fingers were like two finger holes in the blade and lunged at the congressman. And Congressman Zeldin blocked the first lunge. And then as he tried to lunge again, I grabbed him from behind and tackled him down to the ground and held him on the ground.”
How does letting someone out of jail who attacked a person with a knife help anyone? Would the law been applied in the same way if the attacker had gone after a Democrat candidate? This is unacceptable. It needs to be understood that if you attack a public figure (political or otherwise) or a law enforcement officer, you instantly spend a lot of time in jail. There is no bail. The trial date can be set quickly, but you stay in jail.
It should also be pointed out that the attacker’s weapon of choice was a knife. Gun laws in New York State are very strict, but that did not stop the attacker–he simply chose another weapon. The problem with the attack was not the weapon–it was the person who decided to attack.
It’s interesting to compare this with the way the government handled the January 6th protesters who didn’t attempt to harm anyone. Many of them are still in jail awaiting trail. I realize that the no-bail thing is a New York State law, but the contrast in the way trespassing was treated and an actual assault is treated is concerning.