SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 15 – While many even most cases in the Magistrates Court of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York are sealed or have no case number given, on July 15 before Magistrate Judge Kevin N. Fox, there was a more visceral mystery. Between two presentments and bond hearings no fewer than 10 NYC Emergency Medical Services paramedics rushed into the Mag Court cell block. Then emerged with a man on a gurney, followed by a US Marshal with shackles, on their way to "Downtown," the NY Downtown Hospital at 100 William Street. Better there than the MCC, someone said. Judge Fox then resumed processing defendants.
There was Claudia Juarez Bernard, charged with narcotics conspiracy. In the Mag Court the case number 19-MAG-6580 was read out. But an hour later, after the gurney to the hospital from the cell block, this case number was still listed in PACER as "This case is under seal." She was released on $100,000 bond, on her signature, to the Central District of Florida. Federal Defenders said they would get her on the plane; she had been in detention since 2:30 am betwen Saturday and Sunday.
Back on July 11 a defendant with the last name Jones, no case number, was brought in charged with murder. He was detained, all the way until September 5 for his next appearance.
Who is he? Whom did he allegedly kill? This was not said in Mag Court, and Inner City Press has been told to not ask questions. But we will. After Jones there was an interminable wait for a presentee for whom at least two names were given - Colin Williams - but for whom the various players wandered away seriatim. There was yet another, with report delayed. We hope to have more on this.
