In a Brooklyn courtroom on Thursday, Frank James, the man responsible for setting off smoke bombs and shooting 10 people on a crowded New York subway train in April 2022, was due to be sentenced. Earlier this year, James had pleaded guilty to terrorism and weapons charges, which could potentially result in a life sentence for committing one of the most violent attacks ever seen on the New York City transit system.

During a hearing in January, James confessed to his crimes, stating, "I got on the subway train that was carrying people. While I was on the train, I started shooting a firearm." The attack took place during the morning rush hour as the train was heading to an underground station in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood. Although 10 people were shot, fortunately, no one was killed. However, another 13 individuals were injured in the ensuing panic.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney's office in Brooklyn are seeking a sentence of 10 concurrent life sentences plus an additional 10 years for James. On the other hand, his attorneys are requesting an 18-year sentence. Court documents reveal that James, a native of the Bronx with recent addresses in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, had a history of nine prior arrests in New York and three in New Jersey.

Frank James, who had strategically positioned himself in a subway car to create a "kill funnel" before opening fire, is now set to be sentenced in a federal court in Brooklyn on Thursday. After pleading guilty to 10 counts of terrorism in January, one for each person shot in the attack, James is facing the potential consequences of his actions. The attack occurred on a busy N train during the morning rush hour on April 12, 2022, leaving all victims with long-lasting injuries and psychological damage.

The prosecution has requested the judge to sentence James to 10 concurrent life sentences, while the defense has proposed an 18-year sentence. Judge William F. Kuntz II, who has previously dealt with James' refusal to attend court hearings, issued an order directing federal marshals to use force if necessary to ensure his presence in the courtroom. The attack caused widespread fear and anxiety throughout the city, leading to increased security measures and the commitment to add more surveillance cameras to subway stations and train cars.

According to prosecutors, James had engaged in careful and prolonged planning before carrying out the attack. Dressed in a yellow hard hat and orange reflective jacket as a disguise, he discouraged other passengers from sitting near him and positioned himself at the end of the subway car. At approximately 8:30 a.m., while the train was waiting in the tunnel to reach the 36th Street station, James set off a smoke grenade and began firing his Glock handgun, shooting a total of 32 times. The gun only jammed when he was unable to use the remaining bullets from the loaded extended magazine.

In the aftermath of the attack, the victims lay sprawled on the platform at 36th Street, and M.T.A. workers directed people to board a train across the platform. Unfortunately, there was no surveillance footage of the chaotic scene, as the cameras in the station were not functioning. Despite the lack of video evidence, James was identified on the day of the attack, but it took the authorities approximately 30 hours to apprehend him. Several individuals, including James himself, tipped off the police about his location in the East Village, leading to his arrest.

During his guilty plea, James claimed that he only intended to cause harm, not kill anyone. However, the prosecution argues that his statement constituted perjury and should result in an increased sentence. Judge Kuntz will consider James' acceptance of responsibility, which is a significant factor in federal sentencing guidelines, when making his decision.

The defense, represented by court-appointed lawyer Mia Eisner-Grynberg, portrayed James as a severely mentally ill individual who has been tormented by paranoid schizophrenia throughout his life. She argued that James has struggled to receive appropriate care, and his health conditions, combined with his ailments, would likely lead to his death behind bars. The defense proposed an 18-year sentence, acknowledging that it exceeds James' life expectancy.

The attack at the 36th Street station exposed significant flaws in the surveillance system, as the cameras were not functioning at the time. An inspector general's report released in December revealed systemic issues, including undertrained personnel, improper equipment maintenance, and poor communication within the monitoring teams. In response, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (M.T.A.) pledged to enhance their practices, hiring new personnel, and filling vacancies. Additionally, they committed to installing two security cameras on each of the approximately 6,500 subway cars by 2025, with 1,142 cameras already installed. The total cost is estimated at $5.5 million. Concerns regarding privacy implications and the costs have been raised, but authorities believe the cameras are essential in deterring, investigating, and prosecuting crimes.

As Frank James awaits his sentencing, the city remains on high alert regarding subway safety. The outcome of this case will likely have a lasting impact on security measures and initiatives to prevent future attacks within New York City's transit system.