Malachi Houston, 27, who was charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a Brooklyn MTA bus driver last month, was released after a grand jury failed to indict him within the six-day timeframe, according to authorities.
Houston, arrested on July 8, was accused of attacking the 60-year-old bus driver on June 8 in East New York following an argument over the bus route. Despite presenting evidence, the grand jury took no action, leading to Houston’s release.
The altercation began when Houston, agitated over the bus’s direction, argued with the driver before stabbing him. The driver was taken to Brookdale University Hospital in stable condition. Witnesses described a scuffle between Houston and the driver, ending with Houston fleeing the scene.
Houston, who has a history of arrests, including for criminal possession of a controlled substance and grand larceny, resides in the neighborhood. Following the incident, a fellow bus operator, D. McClain, called for increased protection for drivers, highlighting the dangers they face from unpredictable passengers.
Two additional bus drivers were assaulted in separate incidents the day before Houston’s attack, underscoring the ongoing risk to public transportation workers. A female driver on a B6 bus was struck by a passenger, and another driver on a B44 bus was assaulted with a liquid after requesting a passenger fold her stroller.
The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors may present further evidence to the grand jury. The situation has sparked discussions about the safety of transit workers and the efficiency of the legal process in handling violent crimes.
