Peekskill Mayor Challenges City Judge On Bail Decision in Violent Robbery

PEEKSKILL, NY — Peekskill police charged three men with robbery and assault after an attack Sunday in Peekskill. Two were released without bail while one, who had another open case against him, was held on $2,000 bail.

Akeem Joseph, 20, Essa McGougain, 21, and Ishamail McGougain, 21, were charged with second-degree robbery and second-degree assault, both felonies, connected to a 2 a.m. attack on two Hispanic men. McGougain is also considered a possible suspect in earlier attacks on Hispanic men, including one Friday that put one in the hospital, Peekskill police told the Daily Voice.

The Assistant District Attorney had asked for $25,000 bail, according to the Peekskill Post.

Now Peekskill Mayor Frank Catalina is weighing in. Catalina has called a press conference for Thursday. He listed four topics for discussion in his announcement:

1. An update on the condition of the victims of last weekend’s vicious assaults;

2. The establishment of a fund to assist the victims with medical expenses;

3. An update on the current status of the criminal cases pending in City Court; and

4. An announcement of further investigations into the manner in which this case was handled by the City Court and possible action to be taken by the City through the Office of the Mayor.

The mayor could not be reached for comment at the time this article was posted. Return to Patch for updates.