Bragg has come under fire from all sides, including Mayor Eric Adams, for blaming Alba for the rap, even though surveillance video clearly shows the Manhattan worker being attacked by an ex-con, who the worker stabs in alleged self-defense . United Bodegas of America’s closed-door meeting with Bragg in his Manhattan office was “very, very good,” with the DA telling the group that Alba, 61, could see the charges against him dropped , said Fernando Mateo, a spokesman for the group. , after the conversation. “We felt really good because his tone was very relaxing. His demeanor was very direct and he said: “I don’t understand why people jump to conclusions. I have not decided. I’m investigating,” Matteo recalled Bragg saying when asked about Alba’s case. “I asked, ‘Any chance you could get these charges dismissed?’ And he said, ‘Absolutely.’” United Bodegas of America wants lawmakers to pass a ‘Stand Your Ground’ law to help small business owners . Steven Hirsch On July 1, Alba was laboring behind the counter at the Blue Moon grocery store in Hamilton Heights when 35-year-old Austin Simon attacked him after his girlfriend got into a fight with the worker over a bag of chips she couldn’t pay for. As Alba was attacked, he stabbed Simon five times and killed him — an action he told The Post Monday he regrets and regrets, insisting it was all in the interest of self-defense. During Monday’s meeting with the bodega owners, Bragg talked with them about a number of outcomes that are still on the table, Mateo said. United Bodegas of America spokesman Fernando Mateo claimed Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is still investigating Jose Alba’s self-defense case.William FarringtonThe Manhattan DA’s office does not agree with bodega owners carrying firearms.William Farrington “He explained to us the whole routine of what happens when a crime or an alleged crime is committed and what happens after that. We hope that Jose Alba’s case will be dismissed, dismissed by the prosecutor,” Mateo said. “He hasn’t decided yet, but he’s certainly left the doors and windows open for that to happen. So we have to sit and wait, not be impatient and not rush to draw conclusions.” At the meeting, UBA also asked Bragg his thoughts on whether city bodega workers could use a “Stand Your Ground” defense similar to the statute in Florida that allows people to use deadly force if they feel they are in danger from “great bodily harm”. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg insists he is not rushing to “jump to conclusions” about Jose Alba’s defense case. United Bodegas of America Fernando Mateo spokesman Steven Hirsch speaks to reporters after meeting with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg.William Farrington The group also asked Bragg if he supports workers carrying firearms after the US Supreme Court ruled that New Yorkers can carry guns without having to prove they are needed for self-defense. Mateo claimed that Bragg said he supports law-abiding bodega workers who want to legally carry guns, but the DA’s office said in a later statement: “More guns in our communities make us less safe. “Since taking office, DA Bragg has met with many business owners, community leaders and other public safety stakeholders. Today’s discussion focused on how to keep bodega owners and workers safe, including a post-[Supreme Court ruling] world when more people can legally own and carry firearms,” said spokesman Doug Cohen. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg initially held Jose Alba on $500,000 bail or bond. Steven Hirsch The group United Bodegas of America wants lawmakers to pass a “Stand Your Ground” law similar to the one in Florida. William Farrington “DA Bragg voiced his support for New York’s strong gun laws and emphasized that more guns in our communities make us less safe. We welcomed the opportunity to discuss how we can work together to promote safety on our roads and workplaces and look forward to continuing these conversations.”
