Man allegedly strangles stepson to death while out on parole, radical NYC judge releases him without bail

State law enforcement intervened after a radical judge in New York City recently released a man suspected of killing his teenage stepson.

On January 23, 28-year-old Tyresse Minter was at his residence in the Bronx, out on a parole for several weeks after serving three years for an assault conviction. While there, he and his 15-year-old stepson, Corde Scott, began arguing. Though the exact nature of their argument is unclear, tensions apparently escalated quickly. According to a statement from the district attorney's office, Minter grabbed Corde by the neck and cut off the boy's oxygen supply. Then, Minter allegedly wrapped his legs around his stepson to further restrain him. Corde eventually lost consciousness and died soon afterward. Minter reportedly waited at least 20 minutes before contacting authorities about the boy's death.

On Wednesday, Minter appeared before Judge Naita Semaj in Bronx Criminal Court, charged with second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Despite Minter's criminal history and the seriousness of the current charges, Semaj released Minter on his own recognizance without requiring bail.

Corde's mother, Karen Glenn, called the situation "heartbreaking." "I couldn’t believe what the judge was saying," Glenn said Thursday. "I got so upset, I walked out of the courtroom. They weren’t even finished. I saw where they were going."

As Glenn soon learned, Judge Semaj has a history of releasing suspects charged with violent crimes. The Democratic judge, who was elected in 2021 after serving on the Bronx Civil Court for several years, previously sided with a teenage rapper who had allegedly shot and wounded an NYPD officer. The teenager was already on probation for a weapons charge, but Semaj determined that the officer had conducted an improper search of the suspect, and the case was ultimately dropped.

"I had no idea the judge had done this before," said Glenn, 35. "That’s why I was so surprised when I heard no bail."

Despite Minter's release on his own recognizance, he did not remain free for long. On Thursday, just one day after his release, Minter was rearrested by state police for parole violation. New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) seemed to have a hand in his apprehension, as she released a statement following his arrest.

"My top priority is public safety. Earlier today, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision issued a warrant for Tyresse Minter, and he is now in custody," the statement read. "DOCCS is initiating the parole revocation process due to his indictment for criminal negligent homicide and manslaughter. We will continue working closely with the Bronx District Attorney's office throughout this process as it prosecutes the charges, and we will continue coordinating with our partners in law enforcement to strengthen public safety across the State."

Though Hochul defeated Republican Lee Zeldin in the governor's race last November, she has faced severe criticism for recent bail reforms which have heavily favored defendants, permitting sometimes violent suspects to roam the streets. Hochul still argues that judges must impose the "least restrictive means" to ensure that defendants return for court hearings.

Despite her grief and frustration, Karen Glenn still has hope that justice will prevail for her son. "Corde will get the justice he deserved," she said. "I still believe in the justice system."

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