Antisemitic Subway Attack Suspect Gets $10K Bail
Diana Smith, the 45-year-old woman accused of ripping out a Jewish subway rider’s hair while shouting antisemitic remarks, was ordered held on $10,000 bail at her arraignment Monday. Appearing virtually from Bellevue Hospital in a purple medical gown, Smith pleaded not guilty to felony assault, harassment and criminal obstruction of breathing as a hate crime.
Prosecutors sought $30,000 cash bail, while her attorney argued for release without bail, saying Smith could not afford it. Judge Dan Quart set bail at $10,000. It remains unclear whether Smith will be released from Bellevue.
Smith, a Bronx resident with at least six prior police encounters for disruptive behavior, was arrested after the May 31 attack on a 23-year-old frum nurse from Montreal aboard a C train in Lower Manhattan.
According to police, prosecutors and video recorded by the victim, Smith made antisemitic comments to nearby passengers before targeting the woman. She shouted, “Jews are eating kids!” placed a hand on the victim’s throat, knocked away her phone, kicked her, threw her to the ground, pulled out a clump of her hair and left her with a concussion.
Assistant District Attorney Sarah Csanadi said Smith continued making antisemitic remarks after her arrest, claiming she was “sick of Jewish people eating kids” and asserting her father, whom she described as a Moor from Jamaica, owned the land. She also made other incoherent statements.
Smith is due back in court Sept. 3.
