NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A 50-year-old man has been indicted on hate crime murder charges for the killing of a Chinese immigrant in East Harlem last year, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Thursday.
Jarrod Powell was charged with one count of murder in the second degree as a hate crime after he allegedly attacked 61-year-old Yao Pan Ma in April 2021, which led to his death eight months later.
According to the indictment, at around 8:15 p.m. on April 23, 2021, Powell allegedly saw Ma, who weighed 114 pounds, on the corner of 125th Street and Third Avenue.
Powell then allegedly ran up to Ma from behind and struck him, knocking him to the ground. The defendant then allegedly stomped on Ma's head multiple times and repeatedly kicked him in the head, face and neck.
Powell then fled the scene as Ma lay unconscious on the ground.
Officials said an MTA bus driver who stopped at a traffic light and witnessed the attack flagged down a nearby ambulance. Ma was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was treated for facial fractures and bleeding on the brain.
As a result of the attack, the victim sustained a traumatic brain injury and was placed on life support. He remained hospitalized until he died from his injuries on Dec. 31, 2021.
Powell evaded authorities for four days until he was identified through video surveillance and apprehended by the NYPD on April 27, 2021. He allegedly made statements to police alleging that he was attacked by two Korean or Japanese men the day before he attacked Ma.
Powell eventually admitted that he did not report the alleged robbery to police and that he did not provide a description of his alleged assailants other than their race.
He was previously charged with attempted murder, felony assault and hate crime charges in the case.
According to the Manhattan DA's office, there are currently 33 open anti-Asian hate crime cases. In 2021, the District Attorney's office prosecuted nearly four times as many anti-Asian hate crimes as in 2020, and anti-Asian hate crime investigations increased significantly.
"The devastating death of Yao Pan Ma, a beloved father of two, occurred amidst a surge of anti-Asian attacks targeting our families, friends, neighbors, and New York values," Bragg said. "As alleged, Jarrod Powell selectively attacked Mr. Ma for no other reason than his race."
He added, "Tragically, our Office is currently prosecuting 33 hate crime cases driven by anti-Asian bias – unfortunately, the most we have had since our Hate Crimes Unit was established in 2010. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we, as prosecutors and as New Yorkers, remain vigilant and forcefully reject bias-fueled crimes in our communities. My Office is a safe place to report crimes regardless of your immigration status."
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