ITHACA, N.Y. – A man formerly charged with attempted murder is now charged with assault and drug charges.
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William “Bizz” Hunter III was taken into custody Friday and charged with a misdemeanor for third-degree assault and a felony for criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.
He was taken into custody around 3:45 p.m. near the intersection of South Corn Street and Cleveland Avenue, Officer Jamie Williamson said.
Williamson said police found a baggie of cocaine when they searched Hunter.
A warrant for Hunter’s arrest was issued after police say he hit a man at least two times in the head on March 27 on the 100 block of South Cayuga Street, Williamson said.
An official said the outcome of Hunter’s previous attempted murder case is sealed and the court has no record of the charge.
In the courtroom
In a city courtroom Thursday afternoon, Hunter lashed out at police officers testifying against him, shouting across the courtroom, “What the f***are you laughing at? These are people’s lives.”
His attorney Thomas Kheel said Assistant District Attorney Eliza Filipowski reneged on a deal with him 10 minutes before a felony preliminary hearing Wednesday that would have set bail at $3,000.
Judge Scott Miller said Thursday he reviewed evidence of the incident.
“I’m troubled by what happened,” Miller said, adding that the District Attorney’s office seemingly misled the court into believing they’d take the court to the grand jury Thursday. The grand jury did not meet Thursday.
Miller said he considered the deal when setting Hunter’s bail for felony drug possession of 82.1 grams of cocaine at $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond. Hunter also received $2,500 cash bail and $5,000 bond for the assault charge.
The District Attorney’s Office asked for $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.
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