By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
Honduras - CIA Trial Book - NY Mag - VLOG
SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 26 – Richard Rosario spend twenty years in prison for the murder of Jorge Collazo - and then had his conviction vacated and was not re-tried. He sued.
On July 19, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lorna G. Schofield held a final pre-trial conference, before the jury trial set to begin on July 25. Inner City Pres is covering the case.
Rosario is suing for the violation of his constitutional rights by Irwin Silverman, Gary Whitaker, Richard Martinez and Charles Cruger, who investigated the 1996 murder.
In a pre-trial memo, Rosario says he will testify for four hours, and Whitaker and Martinez for four to six hours each. Three witnesses to the murder will be called, and alibi witnesses that Rosario was in Florida at the time of the murder.
One possible witness, Lyamari Leon, is described as testifying about an "alternative theory and motive for the murder of Jorge Collazo."
The defense says it will call former ADA Jeanne Patrauskas, for an hour. There will be DD5s and crime scene photos, and Dateline interview transcripts.
On July 26, with Inner City Press in the gallery, Rosario's lawyer and the NYC lawyer questioning witness Ms. Ruiz and Inner City Press live tweeted it here and below.
Later on July 26 the City filed a letter that is Dr. Parker should be allowed to testify about Rosario's allegedly "predatory" behavior including Facebook posts and videos regarding Defendant officers, and a 1994 rape charge. The City argues that Rosario's "lack of remorse, in general, is highly relevant as it is a 'hallmark' of an APSD diagnosis." Things are getting nasty. City letter on Patreon here.
From July 26 in court: Ok - now at Richard Rosario v NYC after he spent 20 years in prison for Bronx murder on 6/19/96 when 13 people swear he was in Florida
Rosario's lawyer, to 1 of 13, Ms Ruiz: Did the NYPD ever reach out to you?
NYPD's counsel: Objection!
Judge Scholfield : Overruled.
Cross. NYC lawyer: Good morning, Ms Ruiz. Did you ever call the police?
Ruiz: No. NYC lawyer: You never testified in the 1998 murder trial? Ruiz: I did not. NYC lawyer: People smoke pot in your building then, right? Ruiz: It was a social thing that people did.
NYC lawyer: Why do you remember Richard Rosario being there? Ruiz: Because of the crime. NYC lawyer: But that's looking back. Did an investigator for Rosario contact you in 2002? Ruiz: Yes.
NYC lawyer: Did Rosario's lawyers pay for your travel, hotel and room service? Ruiz: Yes. NYC lawyer: DId they prepare you for your 2019 deposition? Ruiz: Maybe. NYC lawyer: And you spoke with them last night? Ruiz: Yes.
NYPD lawyer: Isn't it true Rosario had a romantic relationship with Denise Hernandez? Rosario's lawyer: Objection! Ruiz: I don't know. NYPD lawyer: But you know his wife, right?
Seated NYC lawyer is passing Post It notes to colleague who's cross examining Ruiz. Now she shows Ruiz print outs of Rosario's text message to her, that she can't testify unless she talks to the lawyers 1st. And that the trial is "not for peanuts."
Vlog here; coverage will continue.
The case is Rosario v. City of New York, et al., 18-cr-4023 (Schofield)
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
