by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Jan 30 – In a four defendant crack conspiracy case centered around the Lambert Houses in The Bronx, Malik Muhammad had a bail hearing on September 14, 2023 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. Inner City Press was there.
The Assistant US Attorney, after a trial day that ended at 3 pm, cited beyond the alleged crack to a shooting he said Muhammad had been picked out of a line up for.
Judge Cave said she had before her only the crack indictment.
The AUSA passed up to the bench a six pack photo array and at first asked the defense counsel not see it as it had the witnesses name. The defense said "attorney-eyes only" and saw it.
Judge Cave ordered the defendant released on $25,000 bond, subsequently raised to $75,000.
Meanwhile, Conyers headed to trial.
On January 28, 2025 Conyers' counsel wrote it asking to delay the trial scheduled for May 5 until late June, or September, so that Conyers can have shoulder replacement surgery.
On March 25 the US Attorney's Office wrote it saying that Conyers has refused treatment for a dental condition which precludes or further delays the shoulder surgery. Amid sealed medical records, and references to Bronx street videos, the US says it wanted to proceed to trial.
On July 10 co-defendant Muhammad pled guilty to Count 1.
On November 18 his counsel wrote in asking for the five year mandatory minimum on November 20. And that's what he got.
On January 19, Judge Clarke agreed to seal the courtroom for an Undercover at trial.
On January 28 it was clarified that there was an audio feed in 23B. Inner City Press went:
...AUSA: Does the fact that you record the defendants discretely contribute to the quality of the video and audio?
Undercover: Yes. It's blurry and people talk over it. AUSA: If it doesn't work during a case buy?
Undercover: It could shut down without me knowing
AUSA: Where did you make these buys?
Undercover Detective "Smith" - the 2016 West Farms Convenience, deli, on Boston Road.
AUSA: Do you see who you bought from? UC Smith: Over there.
AUSA: Indicating defendant Conyers. Please look at the binder...
We wrote on January 28 that we hoped to have more on the exhibits shown in the courtroom that was sealed to conceal the undercover's identity. These were requested from the US Attorney's Office early on the morning of January 29; by day's end, nothing from the Office. They owe exhibits, including here and in US v. Alexander.
Judge Clarke, on the other hand, docketed that "as of 10 am the courtroom is unsealed" then "the Court will seal the courtroom at 1:30 today, and audio feed is available in 23B." It is appreciated.
In the courtroom, NYPD drug experts testified. In the afternoon, when the defense told "Detective Smith" that they had no more questions he said, "That's it?" Eliciting laughter.
On January 30 - still no exhibits or even answer from a duo at the US Attorney's Office - Director Hernandez was on the stand, telling the AUSA synonyms for crack: rock, hard, stones.
On cross, CJA Bradley asked for similar synonyms for replica guns but met resistence to scare piece, dummy, joint for show. The jury left, the charge conference was held. And still no exhibits.
The trial continues. The wider case is USA v. Conyers, et al., 1:23-cr-457 (Clarke)
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