New York college professor who threatened to ‘hack up’ Post reporter with machete mulls settlement
The disgruntled former Manhattan college professor who threatened to “hack up” a Post reporter with a machete appears poised to reach a settlement with Bronx prosecutors in the case, as reported on Aug became known Monday.
The potential settlement was discussed outside Bronx Criminal Court, where Shellyne Rodriguez, 46, appeared for a hearing accompanied by more than a dozen supporters – who shielded her from news photographers and reporters while a large contingent of court officials stood by.
Bronx Criminal Court Judge Matthew Bondy indicated that there was a “possible settlement” in the case in which the now-fired Hunter College arts professor was charged with harassment and threats over the videotaped assault of reporter Reuven Fenton on Dec May 23 is indicted.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the judge said he had a letter from Bronx Community Solutions, a neighborhood-based program that, according to its website, offers offenders alternatives to jail, including counseling and community service.
“I also have a Supplemental Certificate of Conformity and Notice of Readiness dated August 13, 2023,” Bondy added. “The parties are asking for additional time for a possible settlement?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Bronx Assistant District Attorney Timothy Lynch replied.
The judge then gave Rodriguez until October 2 to accept or reject the deal on the table.
At the request of prosecutors, Bondy also extended protective orders for Rodriguez to stay away from Fenton.
The Bronx County Attorney’s Office did not immediately provide further details on the pending plea deal.
Rodriguez’s defense attorney, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, declined to comment.
Rodriguez first made headlines when she was caught on video freaking out a group of students setting up a table with anti-abortion materials at the CUNY school on May 2.
“You don’t teach shit. This is fucking propaganda,” she snapped. “What are you going to do next, like anti-trans?”
The mad educator then threw the pamphlets on the floor in front of the stunned students.
On May 23, The Post knocked on the door of her Bronx apartment to get her side of the story — only to see her burst into the hallway with a machete she held to Fenton’s throat, like a Video of the shocking encounter showed.
“Get out of my door or I’ll chop you up with this machete!” Rodriguez yelled before retreating back inside, leaving Fenton and a Post photographer speechless.
As the two exited the building, Rodriguez ran after them down the street with the machete and chased the photographer down the street, video showed.
“If I see you again on this block, you will…” she started screaming. “Get that shit off the block! Get outta here, yo!”
Hours later, Hunter College, where she was an associate professor, fired her on the grounds that the school “strongly condemns the unacceptable actions of Shellyne Rodriguez.”
Rodriguez was later charged with harassment, threats and gun possession.
She pleaded not guilty.
The Post learned that she is also the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the NYPD arising from her arrest during a June 2020 protest over the death of George Floyd in Minnesota police custody.
