A homeless man who fatally pushed a drunken man in front of the Q train in New York has been acquitted of murder. Naeem Davis, 33, was found not guilty of murder, manslaughter and criminal negligent homicide on Monday.
Davis’ lawyer said his client was justified in shoving Ki-Suck Han onto the train tracks before he was crushed under the wheels of the Q train at the W. 49th St. station.
The tragic incident happened on December 3, 2012, when the two men bumped into each other near the turnstiles.
Han, 58, pursued Davis down the stairs, berating and yelling obscenities at him. On the subway platform, Han grabbed Davis by the shoulder and threatened to kill him.
Davis used both hands to shove Han in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the train tracks as the Q train entered the station. Han was too drunk to climb onto the platform.
Bystanders waved frantically for the conductor to stop. A NY Post photographer witnessed the altercation and captured a photo of Han’s final moments for the paper’s front page.
Davis pleaded not guilty by reason of self-defense. He spent 5 years behind bars without bail while awaiting his trial.
“I’m thankful for my freedom,” said Davis outside Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday.
