By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
BBC - Honduras - CIA Trial Book - NY Mag
EDNY COURTHOUSE, August 30 – A man who absconded Supervised Release in New York and was arrested and detained in Massachusetts was freed on bond on August 30, with his kidney stones cited and friend's home put up as bond.
The bail hearing was before U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York Judge Pamela Chen and Inner City Press, now closely covering EDNY, live tweeted it here:
OK - now EDNY bail proceeding in US v. Christopher Williams, he was arrested in Western Massachusetts on Violation of Supervised Release.
Judge Pamela Chen says he was supposed to be with his aunt in Astoria. Defense says he has kidney stones.
Judge Chen: There was a proposal to move in with a new girlfriend named Jasmine who lives on Lafayette. That hasn't been denied yet.
Federal Defender: I only proposed that today, as a condition of bail. He's not just quadraplegic- his kidney issue required opioids
Federal Defender: I've only had one phone call with my client. He felt afraid where he was. That's why he didn't report, and leaving the location where he was supposed to be.
Judge Chen: I'm highly skeptical of that, Probation didn't tell me any of that.
Judge Chen: This is the first time I'm hearing about the kidney condition. Is it kidney stones?
FD: Yes, Your Honor. In the jail he can't be given opioids. His friend in Springfield [Mass] is willing to sign a bond, he has a power washing business.
Probation: This Mr. Collado who's offering to be a suretor, he was actually in the vehicle with Mr. Williams when he was operating without a license and possibly under the influence of marijuana. Judge Chen: I'm not comfortable with this, someone who was enabling
Judge Chen: I'm also not clear how a paraplegic is driving a car, twice. Federal Defender: The local jail in Springfield, Massachusetts is going to want him off their hands. He'll end up in the MDC
Probation: I'm not certain of Ms. Carr being the custodian for home confinement. "She supports herself and her four children on public assistance."
Now Williams speaking under oath: When the police arrested me they threw me on the floor of the police car...They found I had kidney stones, I'm in a medical unit here, only three guys here. We can't be out at the same time. I'm sleeping on a mattress on the floor
Williams: They tell me I got kidney stones by not drinking enough fluids.
Judge Chen: Ms. Carr, how did you meet Mr. Williams? Carr: Around the neighborhood. Judge Chen: How did you become boyfriend and girlfriend?
Beep (phone is disconnected)
Judge Chen: Let me ask Mr. Collado some questions. How do you know Mr. Williams? Collado: From the neighborhood. Judge Chen: What neighborhood? Collado: In Brooklyn.
Judge Chen: Did you know he's not supposed to drive? Collado: He keeps a lot of things to himself.
Judge Chen: Mr. Collado, will you post your house there in Massachusetts as security, to be seized if Mr. Williams violates the terms of [possible] release? Collado: Yes. That's my friend.
Upshot: Judge Chen is releasing Williams on bond; Collado has two weeks to file a "confession of judgment" to the government of his house in Springfield MA, address said in open court but we're not reporting.
The case is US v. Williams, 20-cr-186 (Chen)
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