Teen who became face for bail reform faces robbery, assault charges

A Bronx teen who became one of the faces behind bail reform in past years is in trouble with the law once again.
Pedro Hernandez, 19, was recently arrested and charged in a robbery and assault case in Castle Hill after working for three years to clear his name.
According to a criminal complaint, Hernandez and three unidentified people engaged two other people on Quimby Avenue Sunday morning. Hernandez is accused of slicing a person in the face with a knife, while another accused attacker used a bat to harm another person.
Police say one of the victims took Hernandez's knife and used it to defend himself, severely cutting Hernandez on his face and shoulder.
Hernandez was arrested at a hospital and faces several charges. Hernandez's lawyers maintain that he is innocent and was only trying to defend himself.
Hernandez made national headlines in 2017 when he rejected a plea deal for a shooting he said he didn't commit. The charge was eventually dismissed after the DA said a witness had stopped cooperating and initial information turned out to be "inconsistent and contradictory."
News 12 spoke to private investigator Manuel Gomez, who has worked to prove Hernandez's innocence in the past.
"He was defending himself. Somebody stabs you in the face, the back, the arm, what are you doing to do? He was fighting for dear life," says Gomez.
News 12 last spoke to Hernandez in October when the Bronx DA dropped charges in a separate case, with the stipulation that he must complete a college semester. His mother says he is currently enrolled at a college.