Watch CBS News

Man Charged With Punching Woman, 70, At Brooklyn Subway Station

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man was charged Tuesday with punching a 70-year-old woman in the face in a Brooklyn subway station.

James Showell, 54, of Brooklyn, was charged with assault in connection with the attack, which happened around 10:45 a.m. Sunday, March 30, at the 4th Avenue-9th Street R Train platform in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The victim – Judith Maroney, 70 – talked with CBS 2's Dave Carlin about the attack earlier this month. She said her nightmare began with her sitting on a bench waiting for the train, when she was punched in the face out of nowhere.

"I was a sitting duck," Maroney said. "It was totally unprovoked. I think I was in shock I had just had my face pummeled."

The retired public school art teacher said she was able to give police a detailed description of her attacker.

Detectives then found the suspect on security video, Carlin reported.

Maroney said the man who punched her never said a word and then calmly and slowly walked away.

She said sitting on the bench probably saved her life.

"The guy was big enough, the way he hauled off, I could have been knocked onto the tracks," Maroney said.

Maroney said there were a few other people on the platform when she was punched, but they did not help her. She said it was possible they didn't see the attack, since it happened so fast.

Court information for Showell was not immediately available.

Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.