by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 20 – A woman was indicted for murder for hire in September 2024 and her case assigned to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Analisa Torres. She was writted in from Miami to the SDNY Magistrates Court, which Inner City Press closely covers.
The murder was committed around Christmas 2023. The victim was Clarisa Burgos.
On October 4, the SDNY prosecutors wrote to Judge Torres that "DOJ has authorized this Office not to seek the death penalty."
On October 15, co-defendant Smith was in the SDNY Magistrates Court. Inner City Press as only media there live tweeted, from thread:
AUSA: He orchestrated multiple shooting, with a person already detained.
Judge: The US has met its burden. A woman is dead, due to the alleged use of a cell phone. There are messages. I note your extensive international travel, and lack of visible means to support it. You will be detained.
Note: the judge asked about Smith's "a/k/a" on the indictment and was told it was just his Instagram handle. And on that page, nine photos - more on X for Subscribers here, and Substack here
On October 17, Jeezy Mula, whose cases Inner City Press has previously covered, was added. Inner City Press, and as only media in the Mag court live tweeted, thread
On April 3, 2025, with the case transferred to Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, a hearing was held about the MDC cell search. Inner City Press thread here
On April 15 Judge Engelmayer denied the motion: "McBean claims that the warrantless search of his cell violated his right to be free from unreasonable searches under the Fourth Amendment... The Court denies McBean's motion to suppress. (Signed by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on 4/15/2025)."
On May 6, the US Attorney's Office wrote in of the previous day's superseding indictment which among other things adds co-defendant Batholomew, saying she'd be presented in the Magistrates court on May 7.
Inner City Press was there in the Mag court when she was presented, in an orange WCDOC jump suit. Her assigned lawyer consented to detention, saying he needed to study the issues.
On May 20 all four co-defendants were before Judge Engelmayer and Inner City Press was there. Each has two lawyers, but only one each fit at counsel table. Judge Engelmayer "strongly urged" Main Justice to decide if it is seeking the death penalty on McBean, by June 3. Also, "a bail hearing for defendant Julissa Bartholomew for Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 11 a.m. The defense's letter, setting out proposed bond terms, is due at 5 p.m. on May 23, 2025. The Government's response is due at 5 p.m. on May 27, 2025. Both letters should also address the parties' views on whether Ms. Bartholomew's trial can and should be held on the current schedule, under which trial begins on July 28, 2025." Watch this site.
The case is USA v. Harris, et al., 1:24-cr-541 (Engelmayer)
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