BROOKLYN (PIX11) – Sporting the 8-ball leather jacket that has gained him notoriety on the streets and online, Jorge Peña faced reporters for the first time Thursday, nearly a week after his involvement in a now-viral subway brawl that was uploaded to YouTube.
Describing the events that led up to the altercation where he was attacked by a fellow rider, identified as Danay Howard, the Bronx man at times became emotional.
“That’s not me, I’m not that guy,” he said. “She gave me no choice.”
After the fight went viral, Peña says he can no longer take the train because he is quickly recognized.
“I love my jacket,” He said, becoming emotional when asked how the incident made him feel. “I cannot wear this jacket anymore. “
Peña, 25, had just ended a late shift early Saturday when he hopped on an uptown F train and crossed paths with Howard and her friends.
“All I wanted to do was go home to my baby and my baby’s mom. I’m not a man [who looks] for trouble.”
In the brawl, which was all captured on video, Peña was ridiculed and mocked by Howard for his attire — a fur hat and his leather 8-ball jacket.
Howard, who was being egged on by friends on the train, is later seen striking Peña with the heel of her stiletto shoe from behind, causing a laceration near his left ear.
“When I saw blood coming down on all my face, I had to do something,” Peña said, explaining why he slapped Howard which then sparked a full blown brawl in the subway car.
According to Jorge Pena, he can no longer take the subway nor wear his now-famous 8-ball jacket after the attack.
“I had to do what I did you know, I was trying to defend myself,” he said. “I’m a man. I [was] afraid that she hit my eye. Could’ve made me blind or something.”
Peña and Howard were among the four who were arrested and charged when authorities arrived at the scene.
The Bronx man spent four nights in prison as a result of the attack. Attorneys representing Peña are investigating why he was held for so long despite not being the aggressor.
The Manhattan District Attorney dropped all the charges against Peña Wednesday, determining he acted out in self defense.
The incident is still under investigation.
the RAMOS project 
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