Collection Guides
The New York City Municipal Archives

The District Attorney’s office is responsible for prosecuting criminal offenses and New York State laws violations. On January 25, 1985, a grand jury indicted Bernhard Goetz for three counts of illegal gun possession after Goetz shot four men in a New York City subway train. Goetz wounded four African American youths, Barry Allen, James Ramseur, Troy Canty, and Darrell Cabey. The jury did not indict Goetz on other attempted murder and assault charges. On March 14, 1985, due to new evidence and increased media attention, Robert Morgenthau petitioned Justice Stephen G. Crane to resubmit charges of attempted murder and four charges of assault.

A second jury indicted Bernhard Goetz for four charges of attempted murder, four charges for assault, and one for reckless endangerment.

The defense led by Barry Slotnick argued that there was insufficient evidence for the new charges and filed a motion to dismiss on October 14, 1985. In light of a testimony to the press that implied perjury Judge Stephen Crane dismissed the charges and stated that Goetz’s actions could be considered reasonable.

On July 8, 1986, Chief Judge Sol Watchler of the New York State Court of Appeals issued a final opinion and reinstated all the indictment charges. The trial against Bernhard Goetz started on December 12, 1986, and Gregory Waples and Robert M. Pitler prosecuted the defendant. The jury found Goetz guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree on June 16, 1987. The jury acquitted Goetz for all other attempted murder, assault, and illegal possession charges.

In April 1996, a civil suit filed by one of the victims, Darrell Cabey and his lawyer William Kunstler, reached a resolution finding Goetz responsible for inflicting permanent harm on Cabey. Cabey, whose injuries from the shooting resulted in brain damage and paralysis, was awarded 43 million dollars. Goetz subsequently filed for bankruptcy.