NEW YORK — Yohenry Brito appeared before a judge on Tuesday afternoon, following last week’s arrest in the attack on two members of the NYPD in Times Square .
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has said Brito, a 24-year-old migrant , instigated the attack, adding he’s the man seen on surveillance in a yellow jacket allegedly fighting with officers as they tried to arrest him on Jan. 27.
A grand jury indicted him on charges that remain under seal, and he’ll be arraigned in March.
“I have no comment at this time. He pleads not guilty,” defense attorney Mark Jankowitz said.
When asked if that means he’s denying that his client assaulted the officer, the attorney said, “All it means is that he’s procedurally entering a plea of not guilty.”
READ MORE : Calls grow to deport migrants who attacked NYPD officers in Times Square
Of the 13 people believed to be involved, Brito is the only suspect to be held on Rikers Island . Last week, the district attorney did not request bail for the five other suspects charged in the case and police sources say some may have boarded a bus for the Mexican border. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday morning she’s upset.