William Ferrer Charged in 12-Year-Old Jacob Freytes' Bronx Killing as Family Pushes Life-Term Law
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 4
William Ferrer Charged in 12-Year-Old Jacob Freytes' Bronx Killing as Family Pushes Life-Term Law
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 4
Summary
45-year-old William Ferrer was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after police said a stray bullet he fired during a Bronx street dispute killed 12-year-old Jacob Freytes.
Jacob was riding his bike to a bodega to buy a ball when he was struck; two other adults were also wounded in the shooting.
Ferrer pleaded not guilty, and reports cited by the family say his arrest record stretches back more than 25 years with prior charges including drunk driving, drug possession and menacing.
Jacob's mother and sister say the charges are not enough without tougher sentencing, and are urging "Jacob's Law" to mandate life sentences for people convicted of recklessly taking a child's life.
The case has widened into a debate over New York crime policy, with the family blaming cash-bail changes and the end of stop-and-frisk for making the city less safe.