James Maxx
04-15-2003, 01:07 PM
NEW YORK -- The Manhattan district attorney's office has declined to press charges against two men arrested in the fatal stabbing of a nightclub bouncer who police say was trying to enforce the city's new ban on smoking in bars and restaurants.
Police officials announced the decision early Tuesday following an investigation into the stabbing of Dana Blake, 32, who died about 11 hours after a fight Sunday morning at Guernica, a club on Avenue B in the East Village.
It was not clear why prosecutors decided against pressing charges. A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, Sherry Hunter, did not immediately return a call for comment.
Police arrested two brothers, Jonathan Chan, 29 and Ching Chan, 31, shortly after the fight on charges of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.
According to police, Blake approached the men about 2:30 a.m. Sunday to tell them they could not smoke in the bar. It was unclear whether one or both men were smoking.
Police spokesman Michael O'Looney said witnesses told police that harsh words were exchanged and the brawl began when Blake tried to eject Jonathan Chan for disorderly behavior. A third man and a woman, identified as the brothers' older sister, then intervened.
Blake, who is known to his friends as Shazam, was stabbed in the fight, but it was unclear who stabbed him or with what, O'Looney said.
No weapon was recovered at the scene, no witnesses actually saw the stabbing, and medical examiners were investigating whether the wound was caused by a knife or even a broken bottle, which could indicate that the stabbing was not intentional.
Detective Carolyn Chew, a police spokeswoman, said she could not confirm those details.
Blake's death was caused by a "sharp force injury of groin with injuries to major blood vessels" and has been ruled a homicide," Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, said.
Jonathan Chan worked as a stockbroker, while Ching Chan, who is known as Alan, is a medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in the Bronx.
The smoking ban, pushed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, took effect late last month. It covers all workplaces, including bars and small restaurants. Owners whose establishments violate the ban can be fined or have their licenses suspended.
Tony Blake, the victim's older brother, said Sunday he blamed the death on the smoking ban.
"I'm very bitter," he said. "It's a senseless murder because of this stupid cigarette law. That's the reason this guy was killed."
Bloomberg spokesman Ed Skyler said the mayor's "thoughts are with the family of the victim."
A phone message left at Guernica early Tuesday was not immediately returned
Police officials announced the decision early Tuesday following an investigation into the stabbing of Dana Blake, 32, who died about 11 hours after a fight Sunday morning at Guernica, a club on Avenue B in the East Village.
It was not clear why prosecutors decided against pressing charges. A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, Sherry Hunter, did not immediately return a call for comment.
Police arrested two brothers, Jonathan Chan, 29 and Ching Chan, 31, shortly after the fight on charges of assault, criminal possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.
According to police, Blake approached the men about 2:30 a.m. Sunday to tell them they could not smoke in the bar. It was unclear whether one or both men were smoking.
Police spokesman Michael O'Looney said witnesses told police that harsh words were exchanged and the brawl began when Blake tried to eject Jonathan Chan for disorderly behavior. A third man and a woman, identified as the brothers' older sister, then intervened.
Blake, who is known to his friends as Shazam, was stabbed in the fight, but it was unclear who stabbed him or with what, O'Looney said.
No weapon was recovered at the scene, no witnesses actually saw the stabbing, and medical examiners were investigating whether the wound was caused by a knife or even a broken bottle, which could indicate that the stabbing was not intentional.
Detective Carolyn Chew, a police spokeswoman, said she could not confirm those details.
Blake's death was caused by a "sharp force injury of groin with injuries to major blood vessels" and has been ruled a homicide," Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner's office, said.
Jonathan Chan worked as a stockbroker, while Ching Chan, who is known as Alan, is a medical student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in the Bronx.
The smoking ban, pushed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, took effect late last month. It covers all workplaces, including bars and small restaurants. Owners whose establishments violate the ban can be fined or have their licenses suspended.
Tony Blake, the victim's older brother, said Sunday he blamed the death on the smoking ban.
"I'm very bitter," he said. "It's a senseless murder because of this stupid cigarette law. That's the reason this guy was killed."
Bloomberg spokesman Ed Skyler said the mayor's "thoughts are with the family of the victim."
A phone message left at Guernica early Tuesday was not immediately returned