Trio on Trial for Drugs and Guns Hear Last NY Witness Testify about Ledgers and Fenanyl Text

Trio on Trial for Drugs and Guns Hear Last NY Witness Testify about Ledgers and Fenanyl Text by Matthew & Russell Lee, Patreon Substack SDNY COURTHOUSE, July 13 – 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   Ten days later on June 25 the trial plodded on. The day's last witness, law enforcement, testified about big bills in the stash house; he was cross examined about a Con Edison bill.   Then, with the jury gone, Justice Merchan reviewed the law of co-conspirator statements and the use of photographs for the trial that remains. On July 2, the trial plodded on - and we mean, plodded. The ADA showed long clips of a tenement stairway, with a man climbing the stairs with a scooter. Several jurors slumped back in their chairs. One yawned openly. Then the prosecutors turned to phone records - not the content of calls, simply the phone numbers. Outside it was 100 degrees. On July 13, the prosecutors put on their last witness. Inner City Press was there, and live tweeted: ADA: What does this message say, about the stuff being too brown, too much H? Law enforcement witness: It means, too much heroin in it, not enough fentanyl. ADA: And this, People's 66-C, an image file Defense: I'm going to object. Justice Merchan: Approach sidebar [During the sidebar, two women in the third row tap one of the defendants on the shoulder, pointing and mimic making a phone call. They are leaving, call them later. Sidebar over] ADA: Keep scrolling. What is this? Law enforcement witness: A drug ledger ADA: No further questions. Defense lawyer: As an expert in drug trafficking, how is the money transferred? Witness: Can be placed in the Federal Reserve system, beyond what is retained for expenses. Defense: Where is it sent? Witness: DR, Mexico, Colombia, etc Defense: How much is 5000 Dominican pesos? ADA: Objection! Justice Merchan: Sustained. Defense: May we approach? Justice Merchan: Of course. [Another sidebar] 2d Defense Lawyer: Are you familiar with the NYPD Patrol Guide about inventory searches? Witness: I have been out of the NYPD for 10 years, so I can't answer.  2d Defense lawyer (drumming his fingers on the lectern) Nothing further. No re-direct. The trial continues. *** 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