Authorities expect the man accused of one of the most violent rampages on New York City’s public transportation system in years to plead guilty to terrorism charges in the Brooklyn subway shooting.
Frank James‘ attorney filed paperwork on Wednesday indicating that he would enter a guilty plea in the April 12 attack, and a hearing has been set for January 3.
The gunfire and smoke bomb attack on a Brooklyn subway shook the city and triggered a 30-hour manhunt before James was apprehended in Manhattan.
According to police, the gunman donned a gas mask and detonated two smoke canisters before opening fire aboard a Manhattan-bound train around 8:30 a.m.
According to police, James, 62, rented a U-Haul van, the keys to which were discovered at the scene in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighbourhood.
According to authorities, James appeared to have shared videos on social media expressing bigoted views, violence, and criticism of New York Mayor Eric Adams’ policies addressing public safety and homeless outreach on subways.
In April, federal prosecutors stated that James had premeditated intentions and access to a weapon stockpile.
“The defendant committed a premeditated mass shooting on the New York City subway system and then fled the scene,” federal prosecutors wrote.
In May, a federal grand jury indicted James on charges of a terrorist attack or other violence against a mass transportation system, as well as discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Both counts are punishable by life in prison. The mandatory minimum sentence for the weapons count is ten years in prison.
The same month, James pleaded not guilty in federal court in Brooklyn.
