By Eric W. Schoen
Congratulations Bronx Criminal Court Acting Judge Louis Nock. You probably heard over the last week of someone vandalizing synagogues in the Bronx. Judge Nock had before him a Jordan Burnette. Burnette is accused of smashing windows and doors of four Jewish houses of worship in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.
For those of you who don’t know, Riverdale is right next to Yonkers and Westchester. Close to home. Driving on the Henry Hudson Parkway on Sunday, I saw Police Officers with their police cars, lights flashing outside of two Riverdale synagogues.
Burnette began his 11 day spree when he allegedly pulled the fire alarm at Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx on April 21. At Burnette’s Sunday arraignment on 42 counts, including criminal trespass and aggravated harassment, acting Bronx Criminal Court Judge Louis Nock ordered him held on $20,000 bail or $30,000 bond. Nock tried to lock up Burnette even though a 2019 state law eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent crimes.
Nock believed that the shattering of glass at these houses of worship amounted to a violent felony saying that he had taken a ‘very close look at the law.’ If the accused did what he did, I don’t think there is anyone out there who would think Burnette belonged out on the street without bail.
But in 2019, the New York State Legislature passed this state law that eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent crimes. So, Court-appointed defense lawyer Morgan Everhart appealed the ruling, and it was overturned Sunday night by acting Bronx Supreme Court Justice Tara Collins, who released Burnette without bail pending a Friday court appearance.
Collins is a former Legal Aid lawyer who was appointed by de Blasio in 2017. “Mr. Burnette was initially unlawfully held on monetary bail, despite the fact that he was not charged with any bail qualifying offenses,” Everhart said in a statement. “Judge Nock acted in clear violation of the law which is why his bail determination was immediately appealed,” Everhart said.
This story was broadcast by most of the major New York television stations and was clearly in print in newspapers and online. During a news conference in Manhattan on Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo declined to discuss the case, saying, “I haven’t heard about that. “I haven’t read that story so let me find out the facts, and then I’ll get back to you,” the Governor said.
Maybe someone forgot to deliver the Governor’s newspapers. Maybe the Governor’s power was knocked off so he could not hear this story on radio or television. Or maybe his car radio was not working? Transistor radio batteries run down? I wonder!
On Monday Mayor Bill de Blasio praised the judge who tried to lock up the accused synagogue vandal. He said the state’s controversial bail reform law should be reconsidered for hate crimes. “I really respect judges using their discretion when they see a situation, obviously within the law, of course, within the law, but where they think there’s a particular threat or challenge and they make that decision within the law, I respect that,” he said.
‘But the important thing for us to do right now is to work within the law as intensely and effectively as possible to protect people,” the mayor said during his daily briefing from City Hall on Monday. I guess he forgot that he appointed the judge that set the suspect free.
The elimination of cash bail affects almost all of those accused of hate crimes whether they be against Jews, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Italians or any other group. Didn’t anybody think of that when the law was passed? But what galls me is when elected officials say they aren’t familiar with a very public case or they twist their words like deBlasio did knowing full well the situation gave Judge Nock very little wiggle room.
Last week New York Mayor deBlasio said that New York City would open up July 1. Hours later Governor Cuomo said no, he hoped that New York would open before that. This has turned into a game of one upmanship between these two officials. In the middle of a pandemic when you are dealing with peoples lives, many people living psychologically on edge there is no need for it. Wasn’t it Rodney King who said, ‘Why can’t we all just get along?’ But that’s besides the point here.
So the Governor on Monday announced that most capacity limits will end May 19 as coronavirus infections decline and more people are getting vaccinated. People will still have to stay six feet apart which will continue to affect the number of people allowed in indoor settings including offices, restaurants, theaters and other indoor settings.
The six foot rule will not apply to events that require proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test. So friends, get your vaccine cards ready! If you are not vaccinated the time is now!
Capacity restrictions still apply to large outdoor stadiums like Yankee Stadium or Citi Field. But the Governor is encouraging sports leagues, restaurants and businesses to pursue programs to get more people vaccinated such as seating and special events geared to those who have been vaccinated. ‘There are benefits to getting vaccinated beyond you are safer and won’t hurt anyone else’ the Governor said.
35% of the population in New York have been fully vaccinated, and 47% have received at least one shot. The goal all along here has been to reach herd immunity, something our officials now say may never happen due to those refusing to get the vaccine and the anti-vaxxer movement and those who can’t make up their minds or claim they don’t have the time to go and schedule a vaccine appointment.
By the way, the appointment excuse just went out the window as most vaccination distribution locations have gone to no appointment needed status and are allowing walk-ins! Some for those as young as 16. Schools are now administering Covid vaccinations of course with parental approval.
So New York City and New York State is open to visitors! A trip to Manhattan Sunday saw many formerly boarded up bars and restaurants with the boards off looking like they were getting ready to open. The Subways are supposedly as clean as can be and will soon be open 24 hours a day. 80,000 New York City public employees are back to work in socially distanced offices.
Most people who work in the city and particularly those who vacation in the city ride the subways. Quick, easy convenient, inexpensive way to get around town. So on Monday, Governor Cuomo is asked if he would let his daughters ride the subway. What did he say? No!
Cuomo said he was afraid to ride the subways, most New Yorkers are afraid to ride the subways, the subways are not safe, and that he has ridden the subways only once during the pandemic.
Come on Mr. Cuomo. We know you and Mr. deBlasio are in a pissing contest. But do you think people will return to the New York City if they hear from you, the head honcho that their major mode of transportation is not safe!
Yes, Politicians say the darnedest things!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM, go to WVOX.com and click the arrow to listen to the live stream or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
