NEW YORK — The family of a man who was randomly pushed in front of a subway train and murdered in March came face to face with the suspect in a Manhattan courtroom on Wednesday.
CBS New York’s Derick Waller spoke with subway passengers and the victim’s heartbroken family.
“My ex-husband was on his way home from work,” Jason Volz’s ex-wife said.
Volz got his life back on track, she says, won his battle with addiction and reconnected with their daughter, who is now an adult.
“She’s his only daughter and that was his love, that’s what he lived for,” Volz’s ex-wife said.
Only when a total stranger rips him out of their lives, pushed him in front of a train on March 25.
On Wednesday, 24-year-old Carlton McPherson was arraigned in front of the victim’s family and charged with manslaughter.
“Oh my god, I wanted to jump up and rip his damn heart out,” said Volz’s aunt Christine Conte.
Police sources say McPherson has a history of mental illness and has been arrested and released several times before.
“Why do they keep blaming everything on medication, on mental illness?” Conte said.
“The most important thing is public safety, that is obviously our concern,” Volz’s ex-wife said.
At the Lexington Avenue-125th Street station — where Volz was pushed in front of the train three weeks ago — people riding the subway said not much has changed.
“It’s completely unsafe,” said rider Erica Balencia.
“I’m standing here because I don’t want to be pushed,” said rider Erica M., who stood with her back against a railing.
CBS New York crews noticed people acting erratically and a woman lighting a cigarette.
Some said they felt like everything was going underground.
“Every time I’m here it’s busy. There are a lot of people who don’t ride the train,” said train driver Elijah Muhammad.
While all that was happening downstairs, the only officers CBS New York saw were upstairs. along with National Guard troops.
“Do you want to see them down here?” Waller asked riders.
“There’s no one here, as you can see, and even if you see them, they don’t even bother them,” Balencia said.
Circumstances that Volz’s family fears could lead to another tragedy.
“This could have been anyone,” Waller said.
“Everyone… Our elected officials and we as voters need to take steps to uphold the laws in society so that these things don’t happen,” Volz’s ex-wife said.
This time, McPherson is being held without bail. His next court date isn’t until later this summer.
