Former Broadway dancer Rhamell Burke, who gained notoriety for grinning after allegedly pushing a 76-year-old man to his death down a subway staircase, has provided a startling explanation to police, as revealed in new court documents on Wednesday. Burke claimed he “freaked out” and acted out of fear when he pushed the elderly man, describing the incident as a reaction to his fear.
Burke, 32, recounted to the authorities that he was simply walking when he overheard an argument about him, which allegedly caused him to panic. He bizarrely explained his actions by saying, “I was just walking, and I got scared because I heard an argument about me,” referring to the tragic event on May 7 that resulted in the death of Ross Falzone, a cherished New York City school teacher, at the 18th Street station in Chelsea.
In an additional attempt to rationalize his actions, Burke claimed that “muscle spasms” led to the fatal shove. He stated, “I was walking, walking, walking and I freaked out,” suggesting a lack of control over the situation.
On Wednesday, Burke appeared in court, where he maintained his innocence by pleading not guilty to the murder charges. Despite his infamous sinister grin during a previous court appearance, he faced the murder charges before Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Ann Thompson with a formal arraignment.
Burke, who infamously flashed a sinister grin at a prior court appearance, pleaded not guilty after being arragined Wednesday on murder charges before Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Ann Thompson.
Burke told police that he “just kept walking” after sending Falzone to his death on May 7, according to documents.
“That was it. I was just like, walking, pushed, and that was it,” the ex-dancer said.
Court papers also uncovered a mad tirade Burke went on after detectives asked how the fatal shove made him feel.
“I really don’t like doing things like this. Torment versus torture. It’s torment to be out every day,” Burke strangely said, “It’s torture not to know…. Torment is when you wake up and be like ‘I need to wake up every day, like I just need to wake up.’”
Cops checked Burke into the psych ward at Bellevue Hospital as an “emotionally disturbed person” the day of the alleged murder.
He was released roughly an hour later, leading to the fatal push later that same day.
Three Port Authority cops were injured in his arrest.
Burke had a promising career as a dancer, getting some Broadway gigs for a short period, according to a friend.
The friend told The Post that Burke, a repeat offender, had his downward spiral around the same time as the COVID pandemic shutdowns.
His victim, Ross Falzone, was remembered for his kindness and his love for live performances at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
“Ross was a dear, gentle man who enjoyed a career as a social worker for special needs children,” a friend of Falzone said.