Subway shooting suspect denied bail on federal terrorism charge

Frank James, 62, did not enter a plea on charges of violating a law that prohibits terrorist and violent attacks against mass transportation.

“In this case the defendant terrifyingly opened fire upon passengers on a crowded subway,” prosecutor Sara Winik said, adding that “the attack was premeditated and carefully planned.”

Defense attorneys told the federal judge they agreed to James remaining in custody but may be open to bail in the future under the right circunstances. The lawyers further asked for a psychiatric evaluation to determine James’ medical needs, in addition to the magnesium pills prescribed to treat the defendants’ leg cramps.

Wearing a khaki prison uniform and blue surgical mask, James spoke only once, to acknowledge he had seen the complaint. “The defendant committed a premeditated mass shooting on the New York City subway system and then fled the scene, with a stockpile of ammunition and other dangerous items stowed in his storage unit.

The defendant presents a severe and ongoing danger to the community, as well as a serious risk of flight, that no set of release conditions can mitigate,” Breon Peace, US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, wrote in a letter to the judge before the hearing.