Don’t they usually file the most drastic charges possible to scare the perp in to pleading to a lesser charge?
This must have been a green assistant DA who was just filling the spot solo for the first time while everyone else was home for the holidays.
..or a very smart DA who didn't want to be accused of racism.
At the end of the video, the reporter intimated that the charges may be increased.
Can’t speak directly for New York, but Grand Juries aren’t used in the case of normal criminal charges in my area. They are only convened when the DA needs to conduct an investigation to determine if charges are warranted.
Even in serious murder cases, the DA files charges and there is a preliminary hearing before a judge, although the preliminary hearing is frequently waived by the defendant and the case goes directly to trial or a plea agreement.