Stepfather indicted for choking teen stepson to death released by Bronx judge

A stepfather charged with strangling his 15-year-old stepson to death was freed by a Bronx judge on Wednesday — despite a request by prosecutors that he be remanded.

Tyresse Minter, 28, was indicted for criminal negligent homicide and manslaughter last week for allegedly fatally choking his teen stepson Corde Scott on Jan. 23, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office announced.

Minter was arraigned on Wednesday in Bronx Criminal Court before notoriously lenient Judge Naiti Semaj, who ordered he be released, even though the DA’s office asked he remain locked up ahead of his trial, prosecutors said.

According to investigators, Minter — who was on parole after being released from prison a month earlier — got into an argument with Scott in the Parkchester home.

Minter allegedly put his stepson in a chokehold, cutting off his oxygen supply, prosecutors said. He then allegedly wrapped his legs around Scott and held him until he lost consciousness.

Scott died at the scene. It remains unclear what the two were arguing over.

The stepfather did not call 911 for about 20 minutes after he lost consciousness, prosecutors said.

Minter was on parole for an assault that landed him in prison for three years, state Department of Corrections records show. He was released this past December.

He is scheduled to return to court on June 20.

Semaj, a Democrat who was elected in 2021 after earlier serving in Bronx Civil Court, has a history of cutting loose allegedly violent offenders.

In one case last May, she sparked outrage after she ruled in favor of 16-year-old rapper Camrin Williams, known as “C Blu,” who was accused of shooting and wounding an NYPD officer during a scuffle while he was on probation for a prior gun case.

Semaj ruled the cop had no reason to search the teen during a Jan. 18 incident and Williams’ case was dropped.

Minter’s release comes as Gov. Kathy Hochul is reportedly negotiating with state lawmakers to pass a budget that eliminates a rule requiring judges impose the “least restrictive means” that will ensure defendants return to court.