Gets out of jail with pol’s help
THE BULLIED Bronx teen charged with fatally slashing a classmate was released from jail Wednesday — thanks to the financial support of at least one elected official.
Abel Cedeno, 18, issued a statement thanking several of his supporters, including state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., after his $500,000 bail was cut in half.
In an interview, Diaz (DBronx) said he donated an unspecified amount of personal money to Cedeno’s bond fund in part because he sees the case as an example of the “negligence of the Department of Education.”
“The family came to me for help, and that’s my job,” Diaz said.
“I’m not saying that Cedeno is innocent or that he’s guilty. I just want him to get the opportunity to defend himself in the best way possible.”
Cedeno was charged with manslaughter in the slaying of Matthew McCree, 15, who was stabbed in front of a class full of horrified students and two teachers at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation.
The bisexual suspect has claimed that he “snapped” on Sept. 27 after enduring months of anti-gay slurs and other abuse from classmates.
Cedeno also slashed a second teen, Ariane Laboy, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
The incident marked the city’s first school killing since 1993.
Matthew’s mother erupted in anger after Bronx Supreme Court Justice William Mogulescu ruled in favor of reducing Cedeno’s bail.
“I’m friggin’ pissed, excuse my language,” Louna Dennis (photo inset bottom) said outside the courthouse.
“He gets to go home for Christmas and my son is in a cemetery, in the dirt.”
Cedeno’s family members and supporters stood outside the courtroom hugging and cheering as Matthew’s family walked by in disgust.
“I’m going to fight with every breath in my body,” Dennis added.
Cedeno walked out of the courthouse about 3 p.m. on Wednesday after making the $250,000 bail with the help of Diaz and members of the Rock Salvation Church, where the senator is a pastor.
The teen declined to comment to reporters.
But in his statement, he referred to the crime as a “nightmare.”
“This nightmare which occurred on 09-27-17 has torn apart three families,” the statement read. “I am grateful to the people who donated to my bond fund which allowed my release. I promise you that your faith in me will never be betrayed.
“You are in the words of Shakespeare ‘less than kin but more than kind.’ ”
The support of Diaz struck some observers of the case as curious given his outspoken stance against gay marriage.
But Diaz said he didn’t hesitate to help a family in need. He even encouraged his personal lawyer, Christopher Lynn, to join the defense.
“I’m against same-sex marriage, but I’m a pastor. I love all people,” Diaz said. “This family came to me crying. If they were gay, straight, lesbian, it doesn’t matter. Whoever I can help, I will do that.”
Among the other supporters named by Cedeno are the Gay City News, the NYC Anti-Violence Project and the HetrickMartin Institute, which provides social services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.
Cedeno thanked also the correction officers at Rikers Island. He said they are “100% professionals but found the time to be kind.” City Education Department spokeswoman Toya Holness said school staffers are working with police to make sure that students are safe. “It was a tragic incident, and it’s premature to reach conclusions as the investigation is ongoing,” Holness said.