Accused Slasher May Not Attend Own Trial

By RENEE BEYDA

A Bronx man accused of slashing a 24-year-old woman in Lower Manhattan in early January will not have to be present in the courtroom during his trial, unless necessary, ruled Judge Michael Obus on Thursday in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Kari Bazemore, 41, who authorities claim called his victim, Amanda Morris, a “white bitch” is said to be mentally ill, according to his family, and was off his meds during the time of the slashing. He has been linked to three other violent attacks since September 2015.

Bazemore’s family said that he was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and has been in and out of mental institutions for the past five years.

The defendant’s sister, Dana Brazemore explained that her brother had been showing signs of mental illness for the past 15 years, and was even hospitalized for six months with medication at Bellevue Hospital. Without his medication, Brazemore would act very aggressively.

Brazemore, who has been arrested a total of 32 times in New York since 1990, allegedly slashed Morris’ face with a blade as she walked to Whole Foods in Chelsea on Jan. 6 around 6:00 a.m.

Morris stumbled into a Malibu Diner for help, where police were notified. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital where she received seven stitches on her lip and nose. She was released that day.

The entire incident was caught on a nearby surveillance camera, and Bazemore was arrested later that day for assault when he was recognized from the video.