100 CENTRE ST, Oct 19 – The bribery trial
of former Eric Adams administration official Eric Ulrich
began on October 19, and Inner City Press was there, live
tweeting witnesses and later writing to Justice Daniel
Conviser about making all exhibits available, see below.
From the thread:
Come to order! Justice Conviser comes in
without his robe, puts it on. Justice Conviser: Bring in
the witness [there is no jury] Defense: The wiretap of
Eric Ulrich from the pole on Pitkin and Cross Bay Blvd,
you were responsible for recording? Witness Lucas: Yes
Defense: Of the 17,000 conversation
reported, you include many fewer on this flash drive,
correct? Lucas: Correct. Next witness, NY County DA's
office staffer Laura Estevez, resident of Westchester
County. ADA: What do you work in? Estevez: Computer
forensics
ADA: How many cell phones did you analyze
in November 2022? Estevez: 7 cell phones and one computer.
[Ulrich as defense table is point at desktop screen, to
show his (five) lawyers.
ADA: I ask the People's 29 be
received in evidence. No objection. [2d defense lawyer] No
objection. Chart of cell phones: Apple iPhone 11 and 13, 2
Samsungs, Foxx Miro, Celero. Phone numbers ranging from
718 and 516 to 347 and 929.
No cross. Next witness: DA's Office
trial prep assistant Bridget "Billavarin" ADA: Is this
People's 19, selected wiretap conversation? Witness: Yes
[Ulrich continues to stare into the screen in front of
him, the exhibit, now whispering with his chrome-dome
lawyer.
Witness is handed a thick binder. ADA: Did
you review and transcribe each call and text? Yes. ADA:
Only the relevant parts? Defense: I object to the word
relevant. Judge: Fine. Rephrase. ADA: Do some have Italian
translations? Witness: Yes
ADA: What are these? Witness: Messages
between Anthony Livreri and Eric Ulrich... And this is
about Michael Mazzio...
[More exhibits rattled off but not dug into - yet]
Afterward, Inner City Press wrote to Justice Conviser, for
Inner City Press:
I have been
covering your Eric Ulrich case and trial. I
understand that tomorrow October 20 at 10:30 am you will
be considering whether to order the release of, or
continue the unavailability of, the exhibits in the
trial.
This is a
Press request to be heard, and for the unsealing of all
exhibits which would not prejudice any jurors (since the
defendant has chosen a bench trial).
In
Justice Gregory Carro's Luigi Mangione case, I requested
in a letter just like this the release of exhibits and
some took place. But it was piecemeal, with the People
putting up only some exhibits, and the defense likewise
only some. Your Honor should order comprehensive
release, on a same-day or next-day basis. And:
direct that any proposed
restriction or redaction be made on the record on
notice, with an opportunity for the press to be heard,
and be supported by specific findings; and
Watch this site
Extra October 19 on X for Subscribers here and Substack here
