- "We doing this now?"
"Yeah."
"He's at 950 West 185th Street, Apartment 30." - ―Williams and Connor Powell[src]
The Attack on Nicky Torres' Apartment was a murder attempt on Nicky Torres by corrupt NYPD officers Connor Powell and Williams in order to prevent him from testifying against them. By the time they arrived at Torres' apartment, Matt Murdock had already gotten him out; Powell and Williams fought Murdock but were brutally bested by the superior combatant.
Background[]
- "You're beatin' on a guy who can't defend himself."
- ―Hector Ayala to Connor Powell[src]
Corrupt NYPD officers Connor Powell and Kel Shanahan roughed up Nicky Torres on a subway platform, but Hector Ayala came to his rescue and fought them. In the ensuing skirmish, Shanahan tripped and fell into the path of a train, killing him. Powell arrested Ayala, and he was imprisoned for the false charge of killing Shanahan. However, Powell knew that Torres had witnessed what had really happened, so he recruited Williams to kill Torres at his apartment. Unbeknownst to him, Matt Murdock learned of their plan and aimed to prevent it.[2]
Attack[]
Matt Murdock identifies himself at the door
- "They have located you. They're coming to kill you. You need to come with me right now."
- ―Matt Murdock to Nicky Torres[src]
Matt Murdock arrived at Nicky Torres' Apartment, knocked on the door, and identified himself as Hector Ayala's lawyer. Although Nicky Torres was hesitant, Murdock convinced him to let him in and told him to lock the door behind him. Murdock informed Torres that he was the key witness in the defense of Ayala, meaning he could prevent him from being sentenced to life in prison.
Nicky Torres is warned by Matt Murdock
Torres was reluctant, not wanting to go against the police. Murdock revealed they had already found him and were going to kill him, using his enhanced senses to hear their footsteps. Murdock pulled Torres away from the door, and Torres resisted until he heard them knocking. Murdock ordered him to go out the fire escape, telling him that he would be picked up by car in Fort Tryon Park.
Matt Murdock greets the cops at the door
Connor Powell announced himself and demanded that the door be opened. Murdock unlocked the door for them, and when Powell and Williams entered, the former recognized Murdock as Ayala's lawyer. Murdock told Powell that Torres had already left. When Powell went to check for himself, Murdock stood in his way, causing the former to slam the latter against the wall. Williams searched the apartment and reported that he did not find Torres.
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Matt Murdock savagely breaks Williams' arm
Powell demanded to know where Torres had escaped to, but Murdock feigned incompetence, leading Powell and Williams to begin beating him up. Williams held Murdock at gunpoint and prepared to kill him, but Murdock jumped up and pushed him into Powell. Murdock then broke Williams' arm and brought his head down on a table, knocking him out. Powell charged at Murdock, but the latter used his momentum to fling him into the refrigerator.
Murdock banged Powell's head onto the fridge again, leaving a bloody imprint, before flipping him onto the floor headfirst. Murdock caught his breath before picking up his glasses and yelling ferociously.[2]
Aftermath[]
Matt Murdock threatens Connor Powell
- "An attorney who assaults a police officer? Who obstructs an active investigation? Not somethin' that the Bar Association's gonna take lightly if you catch my meaning."
- ―Connor Powell to Matt Murdock[src]
Matt Murdock encountered Connor Powell the next day in the New York State Supreme Court Building's bathroom. Powell indirectly threatened to tell Judge Jerry Cooper of Murdock's interference, but Murdock rebutted that Powell had really gone to Nicky Torres' apartment to shake him down. Murdock told him that at the least, he wouldn't go to jail, while Powell himself had tampered with a witness. He then briskly walked away.
Nicky Torres hides after escaping the NYPD
Meanwhile, Nicky Torres began hiding out with help from Cherry. On the day that he was to testify at Hector Ayala's trial, he, Cherry, and Forrest Tam were nearly stopped by corrupt NYPD officers from reaching the courthouse, but Torres and Tam managed to evade them with Cherry's help. However, their efforts were for naught as Torres lied on the stand about the night of his rescue.[3]