Trio on Trial for Drugs and Guns Get Rulings on Exculpatory Evidence from NY Justice Merchan

Trio on Trial for Drugs and Guns Get Rulings on Exculpatory Evidence from NY Justice Merchan by Matthew & Russell Lee, Patreon Substack SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 15 –     A three-defendant drug and gun trial in 100 Centre Street brought its day to a close on June 15 with a dispute about exculpatory evidence and conspiracy before Justice Juan Merchan. One wondered why this drug conspiracy case had not been Federalized. Inner City Press was there, in the gallery with the whispering interpreter and live tweeted: OK - now at 3 defendant drugs and guns case before Justice Juan Merchan (who had the Trump criminal trial). 2 of the 3 charged with guns; 2 of the 3 have retained (paid) lawyers. Defense is questioning conspiracy.  Justice Merchan (having sent jury out) - Relax, counsel  Defense lawyer: I am relaxed, Your Honor.  Justice Merchant: No you're not. If you were, you wouldn't be speaking over me. ADA: The other defendant is mentioned, as number two man in the organization   [Break to confer] Justice Mercan: Let's go back on the record. I think we can get the allegedly exculpatory information about one defendant in, while redacting about the other. People? ADA: If the jury is going to hear law enforcement about one, leave in the other  DEA witness comes back on the stand, 16 jurors enter Defense counsel: Did your report say that Steven had started his own drug distribution network? Witness: Yes. Defense counsel: Did you say he lives both on Staten Island and on 64th Street in Brooklyn? Seems so.... Judge: Adjourned   Downstairs in TAP A, Justice Julieta A. Lozano was digging deep into the case of two defendants whose 2021 indictments had been delayed by the pandemic. Did the 30/30 and certificate of readiness rules still apply? She said she will rule on August 5 - after one defendant's two-week vacation. Summer in the city... *** 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