Woman accused of killing USPS worker at Harlem deli takes plea deal
The woman accused of fatally stabbing a postal worker at a Harlem deli pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter Wednesday as part of a plea deal.
Jaia Cruz, 24, was promised a sentence of 15 years in prison and five years supervised release in the fatal January stabbing of Ray Hodge, a 36-year-old father of two. Witnesses said the stabbing inside the deli started as a dispute over who was next in line.
Formal sentencing for Cruz is expected later next month.
Hodge's mother speaks out
Hodge's family members said they were hoping for a stiffer sentence.
"In 15 years, her life goes on. Ray Hodge III, dead. Gone. Not coming back. So I have a problem with that," Hodge's mother Ada Rice said.
Rice said her family feels slighted by the sentence.
"I just feel cheated. My son was murdered," Rice said. "Felt really frustrated."
The Manhattan DA's office said, in part, "In context of the stabbing death including the rapidly evolving and escalating confrontation and the other relevant sentencing considerations that are presented... the people have offered a plea to manslaughter in the first degree."
The DA's office confirms it was aware the family was opposed to any offer.
Rice says she wanted the case to go to trial to get justice for her son.
"She got off too easy," Rice said.
Rice and her family are left with no choice but to move forward. Sentencing is set for May 28th.
"One day at a time," Rice said. "I want Ray to be remembered for the good person, the excellent father he was, and the heart he had."
What happened in the deli
A deli worker told CBS News New York that Cruz became angry and started arguing with Hodge about who was first in line while he was ordering a sandwich. She then allegedly spit on him, and Hodge allegedly hurled lemon juice on her. That's when she stabbed him, according to the deli worker.
Hodge was rushed to the hospital, but died.
