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The snowy weather was not the only thing commuters in Corona, Queens were talking about Friday. The news of Democratic City Councilman Hiram Monserrate's arrest spread through his district, which had elected him to the State Senate just last month.

"It doesn't make any sense. It's absurd. Times are too hard to be beating up somebody," said a local. "Unbelievable. If he did it, then he has to get what he deserves."

Some people were left speechless, while others struggled to find the words.

"For me it's a surprise," said another local. "I can't believe it, it's no good. That is terrible.

"I'm shocked but I'm also thinking if it's true she stands strong and stick by her story and don't be afraid," said another. "Maybe that will help him and help her. They can get some counseling and resolve that. But I'm shocked. I don't know if it's true or not, but I hope not."

Many residents gave Monserrate the benefit of the doubt. They say he has been a good councilman since 2002 and he never shown an aggressive side.

"He's done great things in the past, and while this one thing has happened, I just hope everything turns out better," said a local.

"We all are human, so we are all subject to to trial and error and mistakes," said another. "We are all subject to making bad decisions based on feelings, so on and so forth. So I am by no means condoning it, but I'm not quick to just say, ah well, he was a messed-up person."

If convicted, Monserrate faces up to seven years in prison.