Jaia Cruz, a transgender woman accused of murder, pleaded not guilty in court after allegedly fatally stabbing postal worker Ray Hodge during a dispute at a deli in Harlem. Prosecutors claim the incident on January 3 escalated after a line-cutting argument led to Cruz retrieving a knife and stabbing Hodge multiple times. Cruz's defense asserts she acted in self-defense, drawing outrage from the audience, which included advocates and Hodge's family. The charged environment resulted in several disturbances, forcing court officers to eject emotional attendees. Hodge’s family disputed Cruz’s account, stating it mismatched their understanding of him.
During a chaotic court hearing, Jaia Cruz, accused of fatally stabbing postal worker Ray Hodge, pleaded not guilty while claiming self-defense amidst strong emotional reactions from the audience.
As the arraignment unfolded, feelings ran high when the defense argued that the stabbing was an act of self-defense, contradicting the erratic outbursts and anguish expressed by those present.
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