Man Who Had Drug Sentence Commuted Jan 17 2025 on Trial For New Drug Sale Saying NYPD Untrue

Man Who Had Drug Sentence Commuted Jan 17 2025 on Trial For New Drug Sale Saying NYPD Untrue by Matthew & Russell Lee, Patreon Substack 111 CENTRE STREET, April 27 – A man with a previous Federal drug conviction whose sentence was commuted on January 17, 2025 - three days before the change of Administrations in Washington - is on trial for another alleged narcotics offense. On April 27, Inner City Press was there.      Only this time, the NYPD officer on the stand didn't find the drugs at the time, and only afterward said he saw the defendant, Shelby Hines, throw "something small."    After the direct examination, the defense lawyer played him the audio of his own body-cam video. Direct: ADA: Officer Jean-Baptiste, why couldn't you handcuff him?  Jean-Baptiste: My cuffs got caught in his jacket. [Shaking bodycam video of foot chase] ADA: Officer can you orient us?  Jean-Baptiste: That's Shelby trying to hide under the van  [Now as video depicts defendant being cuffed, a woman stands up and walks out of courtroom, says, "This is what they do to Black people.]  ADA: Now? Jean-Baptiste: That's the van toward which he did his throwing motion. West 178 Street between Audubon and St. Nicholas ADA: Had you seen the defendant throwing something?  Jean-Baptiste: Honestly, from where we are now, I can't answer that question. [More video]  ADA: Now? Jean-Baptiste: It's almost now, but you're not going to see it on the camera- Defense: Objection! Sustained  ADA: Explain Jean-Baptiste: My camera is on my torso, my head is up hear. So it doesn't catch everything that I see. What he threw, it was small. ADA: Did you get evidence later? Jean-Baptiste: Package of narcotics from Officer Perez. Vials of crack.  ADA: What were they filled with?  Defense: Objection! Asked and answered Justice: I'll allow it Jean-Baptiste: The alleged crack cocaine, a rocky substance. I've made thousands of arrests. I vouchered it. ADA: No further questions. Justice: We can start cross  Defense: You turned on your body-worn camera on October 10, 2025? Jean-Baptiste: Yes. Defense: You yelled, Let's get him into your radio? Yes. Defense: He dove behind a white van?  Yes. Defense: You didn't say or yell that he threw anything? Jean-Baptiste: No  Defense: When you arrested him there was a dog there? Jean-Baptiste: I don't know if there was an NYPD dog there.  Defense: Mr. Hines was handcuffed? J-B: Not yet. Defense: You testified you saw him throw something toward the building - you are under oath  J-B: Yes.  Defense: Isn't it true you never saw Shelby throw anything? Jean-Baptiste: I said I saw it. Defense: Didn't you tell Officer Perez, I didn't see him throw nothing? J-B: You would have to see my camera Defense: Play it at 23:51:58 - you told Officer Perez?  J-B: No  Defense: Play it at point eight. [Played again - at least one juror nods]  Jean-Baptiste: Play it again, it's been a while. Defense: Back to normal speed, 23:52:59. You are looking around with a flashlight? J-B: I am retracing my steps Defense: Mr. Hines' steps   Justice Jonathan Svetkey: Break for day * * *     Three floors down, Justice Ann D. Thompson was genially presiding over jury selection in another trial, of a man who while working for a tourist bus company in Times Square was allegedly involved in the stabbing of one of a group of teenagers who - also allegedly - assaulted him.   The ADA asked the prospective jurors if they would hold it against a witness that they had been involved in illegal acts, and if they would follow Justice Thompson's instructions on permissible use of force.  One juror sure to be excluded, who said her profession is social media about her home renovation, said she wasn't sure she could be fair. Another works right next to the tour bus and begged off. In the hallway, many dozens of prospective jurors unlikely to even be called into the courtroom for voir dire looked up from laptops, none too happy. There has to be a better way. *** 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 Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station, NY NY 10013 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2026 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com