A Bronx judge released the two brutes accused of pummeling a cop on Monday in a move that was slammed by one NYPD union leader as “upside down.”
Kaream McClary, 23, and Izayiah Jessamy, 20, were arraigned Tuesday on assault charges for allegedly beating up Officer John Hernandez after he and his partner asked the suspects to put out their cigarettes at the Freeman Street subway station, according to court documents and the NYPD.
At their hearing in Bronx Criminal Court, prosecutors requested bail set at $10,000 or $30,000 bond.
But Judge Eugene Bowen released them without bail, according to court records.
Patrick Hendry, the president of the Police Benevolent Association union, tore into the decision.
“This shows the absolutely upside down world we’re living in,” Hendry said in a statement.
“We need New Yorkers to start speaking up and demanding real consequences for those who assault cops,” he said.
“Our streets and subways won’t be safe if the cops protecting them aren’t safe.”
New York State Office of Court Administration’s Communications director, Al Baker, defended the decision to release the suspects following their arraignment.
“Release determinations, made after reviewing the facts and circumstances of a case, are about assuring that the accused return to court,” he said in a statement to The Post.
Wild video of Monday’s fight posted on social media shows three men started arguing with officers and then repeatedly punching Hernandez in the head, face, and neck.
Hernandez covers his head for protection during the caught-on-camera scuffle.
“Yo, yo beat him!” a man yells in the clip as officers grapple with the attackers.
The pair of cops eventually collared the two assailants at the scene, the video shows, but the third attacker managed to get away.
The shocking video was not mentioned at the arraignment, a source told The Post.
Neither of the two defendants have criminal records and both were recommended release by the Criminal Justice Agency, the source said.
The brazen beatdown came as assaults against NYPD cops have skyrocketed by more than 25% this year, according to data obtained by The Post last month.
Lawyers for McClary and Jessamy did not return a request for comment.
Their next court date is scheduled for Dec. 18.