NYC judge REFUSES to put anti-Semitic thug accused of plotting attacks on synagogues back in jail

A New York City judge has once again refused to put an anti-Semitic thug accused of plotting violent attacks on synagogues back in jail.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Neil Ross ruled on Wednesday Matthew Mahrer, 22, can continue to walk free around the city after his family posted a $150,000 bail last month — despite the District Attorney's office arguing disturbing new facts about his plans were enough of a reason to keep him behind bars.

Mahrer was arrested last month with Christopher Brown, 21, after authorities found they made a sting of 'credible threats' at synagogues across the Big Apple.

The pair were found to be in possession of a gun, a 'high-capacity' magazine, ammunition, a 'military-style' knife, and Nazi memorabilia at the time of their arrest, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at the time.

Mahrer is now facing criminal possession of a weapon charges, while Brown — who allegedly told investigators he runs an online white supremacist group — is also charged with making a terroristic threat. 

He, however, is being held without bail and was arraigned on Wednesday.

A New York City judge let Matthew Mahrer, 22, continue to walk free on Wednesday

Mahrer was arrested last month for conspiring to attack a number of New York City synagogues. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon

In court on Wednesday, the New York Post reports, Assistant District Attorney Edward Burns argued that Mahrer should also remain behind bars as he revealed continued to pay an incarcerated friend for the gun he and Brown planned to use in the would-be attacks.

'We now know that Mahrer, Brown and [a] third individual drove to Pennsylvania on November 18 to purchase a firearm,' he argued in court. 'That individual who drove with them has since been arrested by federal authorities.'

The unnamed accomplice, he said, is now serving three-and-a-half years for criminal possession of a weapon. 

Burns also said the Upper West Side resident — whose attorney says he has bipolar disorder and autism — also bought a bulletproof vest before he and Brown were caught carrying weapons and a Nazi armband.

But Mahrer's defense attorney, Brandon Lamour Freycinet said the information was already known when Mahrer's bail was set on November 20.

He argued there is nothing illegal about sending a friend money behind bars and that the bulletproof vest could have purchased years or months earlier, CBS News reports.

Freycinet also noted that Mahrer, who is of Jewish descent himself, means no ill will and that his grandfather is a Holocaust survivor. 

And, he said, after Mahrer was released from prison on November 21, he was sent to Elmhurst hospital for roughly one week for psychological treatment before returning to his family's Upper West Side home. He then enrolled in group therapy called Pathways.

Ultimately, the Post reports, Ross sided with the defense, even saying Mahrer does not need to warn an ankle monitor, but warned he must continue to appear in court — or his family will be forced to forfeit the bail money they already paid.

'Make sure you understand that this is the most important obligation that you've had in your life.'

Following the court hearing, Mahrer was seen happily puffing a vape pen and smirking as he strolled free with his attorney

The 22-year-old's parents posted his $150,000 bail last month, after which he allegedly received psychological treatment at a local hospital before he was allowed to return to his parents Upper West Side apartment

Christopher Brown, 21, was arraigned in the New York State Supreme Court on Wednesday

Following the court hearing, Mahrer was seen happily puffing a vape pen and smirking as he strolled free with his attorney.

Meanwhile, outside, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg slammed the decision as he noted they asked the judge to remand Mahrer twice now, claiming it is 'important' that Brown has been in jail without bail since last month.

 New York City Councilmember Jim Gennaro, who represents a part of Queens, and New York State Assembly Member Dan Rosenthal, who represents XXX, also released a statement decrying the judge's decision.

'It is an absolute dereliction of duty and terrible lapse in judgment that he walks free on bail and untracked,' they said in the joint statement.

'We stand with the Jewish community in condemning the judge's decision that has allowed this dangerous and capable individual to freely walk our streets,' they said, noting: 'He continues to be a threat to the public and needs to be behind bars.' 

Investigators said that Brown and Mahrer had purchases a 9mm Glock in Pennsylvania for $650, with an assistant district attorney revealing in court Mahrer continued to make payments for the weapon even after he was arrested

Brown allegedly told investigators that he is 'sick' and runs a white supremacist group on Twitter that Mahrer is a follower of

Authorities revealed last month that Mahrer and Brown had posed a 'credible threat' to Manhattan's Jewish community.

At a news conference, Mayor Eric Adams said he and New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell were immediately notified of the threat identified by a joint New York Police Department and FBI task force.

They said their number one priority was to apprehend the suspects as soon as possible.

The two men were ultimately arrested in New York City's Pennsylvania Station on November 19 by 'sharp-eyed MTA police officers,' Sewell said.

The pair were in possession of a gun, a 'high-capacity' magazine, ammunition, a 'military style' knife, and Nazi memorabilia at the time of their arrest, according to  Bragg. 

The pair had met outside St. Patrick's Cathedral Friday before they were ultimately stopped with the gun, a 9mm Glock, which they had allegedly purchased for $650 in Pennsylvania.

Assistant District Attorney Emilio Hernandez said Mahrer and Brown had even traveled to Pennsylvania together for the sale and had 'intent to use it in an attack at a synagogue.' 

It was later revealed that Mahrer is of Jewish descent himself, and his grandfather is actually a Holocaust survivor 

Mahrer's lawyer claims he has autism, bipolar disorder, anxiety and ADHD

In a criminal complaint obtained by the New York Post, Brown allegedly told police that he has 'a sick personality,' when pressed about the attacks and the gun. 

'I was going to be a coward and blow my brains out with it,' Brown allegedly told police after his arrest. 

Brown had previously posted a message to his social media page on Thursday, allegedly saying: 'Gonna ask a priest if I should become a husband or shoot up a synagogue and die.'

The 21-year-old also told police that Mahrer was 'a follower' of his. 

'It took me three years to finally buy the gun. Matt is one of my followers. I have Nazi paraphernalia in my house. I think it's really cool,' Brown allegedly told police, according to the complaint. 

'I also operate a white supremacist Twitter group,' Brown said. 

The man had appeared on the police's radar after sending out threatening and alarming tweets, including one alleged post where he said said he was making 'big moves on Friday.' 

Police say he later posted to his social media account: 'This time I'm really gonna do it.' 

The accused also reportedly posted a video of himself saying that he was going to 'brutally murder people with hatchets and whatnot.' 

Meanwhile, inside the apartment of Mahrer's parents, whom he lives with, police found a gun and bulletproof vest after their arrests. 

Inside the apartment of Mahrer's parents, whom he lives with, police found a gun and bulletproof vest after their arrests.

Mahrer's parents claim his actions last month are not representative of who he is

But it was later revealed Mahrer is actually of Jewish descent himself, and that his own grandfather is a Holocaust survivor.

'My client is of Jewish heritage. He resides with his parents and his grandfather is actually a 93-year-old Holocaust survivor — and my client is his part-time caretaker,' Freycinet said in court last month. 

The lawyer alleged that based on his heritage, Mahrer should not face potential charges related to a hate crime. 

He also noted that Mahrer had spent time in homeless shelters before moving back into his parents' Upper West Side home a year ago and that he had no criminal history. 

Mahrer's parents were present at his arraignment and claimed that this is not who they know their son to be. 

'He's not what they are saying he is,' Mahrer's mom told The Post outside the Manhattan courtroom.