Friday, June 5, 2026

Man on Trial for Robbing Busking Cellist Has 1 Juror with Skateboard and Another from Mr. Sinai



Man on Trial for Robbing Busking Cellist Has 1 Juror with Skateboard and Another from Mr. Sinai

by Matthew & Russell Lee, Patreon Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 4รข€“ A man charged with robbing a busking cellist in New York's Herald Square subway station is on trial in 100 Centre Street before Justice Robert M. Mandelbaum.    

On June 4 his lawyer cross examined the arresting police officer about the value of things stolen, including the busker's amplifier. Inner City Press was there and live tweeted:

 Defense lawyer: So, in the cello case, there was $350 in cash? 

NYPD Officer: Yes.

Defense: And the cello, and an amp worth $900?

NYPD Officer: Yes. [The cellist was part of the MTAs official music program] 

Now video of the defendant, handcuffed, at the desk in the MTA police station in Columbus Circle station. Officer counts the cash dramatically in front of a stationary camera  Defense ends cross; no re-direct. Witness, last of the day, leaves. 

Then a juror asks: Can I bring my skateboard with me tomorrow? Judge: They will probably voucher it. They do not want people riding in the hallway. 

Jurors file directly out -- then one was called in. He works at Mount Sinai and may have - that is, cannot rule out having - worked with the doctor who treated the victim. Either way, he said, he can be fair.   

Two stories down, more indeterminacy: a defendant pleading guilty as Elizabeth was referred to as "Mister" by Justice April A. Newbauer. For repeated violations of orders of protection, legalized as criminal contempt, the agreed sentence is one and a half to three years. The sentencing was set for July 2. The defendant was taken back into detention.

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