A career criminal accused of pummeling an elderly man on a Lower Manhattan train was released back on the street without bail — despite having a record of dozens of arrests throughout the years, The Post has learned.
Johnson Earl, 44 – who sources say has been busted 14 times – was most recently nabbed on New Year’s Day and charged with second-degree assault for viciously beating his 83-year-old victim for bumping into his foot on Dec. 20, cops said Friday.
But he was granted supervised release the next day on the felony by Judge Beverly Tatham — despite prosecutors’ request for $75,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond, which they argued would help ensure Earl’s return to court, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said.
The Bronx man allegedly flew into a rage on a southbound No. 5 train approaching the Fulton Street station around 6:10 a.m. when the elderly victim stumbled over his foot, according to cops and the DA’s office…