Sergio De La Pava - A Naked Singularity

I want the judge to arrest me.

Why?

Because I want to be in jail.

Why do you want to be in jail?

My wife and her brother they’re going to kill me.

Why do you say that?

I know.

Why would they want to kill you?

Because I’m guilty.

Guilty of what?

Just guilty.

You’re not making any sense sir. Why do you think they want to kill you?

Have they said anything?

No. They don’t say things they look at me a certain way. They say things that aren’t the same thing but I know what they’re really saying and I know what they’re really thinking. They blaming me, they think I’m guilty but I’m not. But they thinking so much that I’m guilty that I have almost become guilty. I don’t mean that I only feel guilty I mean that I have really become guilty because of them.

What are you guilty of ?

You not listening.

I am but I don’t… let me ask you this: do you have a doctor you see?

Yeah I have a doctor but that’s not important.

Is he a psychiatrist who helps you?

Yes but he doesn’t… no! I don’t have doctor, no doctor.

Do you have his card with you?

I don’t have a doctor I just told you! I want speak to judge, he can arrest me and put me in jail, that’s where I… need to be!

Listen the judge doesn’t arrest people and besides even if he did no one gets arrested just because they think they’d be safer in jail. What you need to do if you’re concerned about your safety is go the police precinct and file a report. But I will say that it doesn’t sound as if these people have said or done anything to cause you to fear for your safety. Maybe what you should do is call this doctor who doesn’t exist and tell him what you’re feeling or talk to your wife about it. The precinct is like two blocks from here why don’t you go there now because if you keep disrupting the court you might actually get your wish which believe me you would almost immediately regret. Goodbye.

Can you put me in jail?

No, I spring people, the very opposite of your request, but I think if you are legitimately scared you should go the police and tell them what you just told me or else talk to your wife or another family member about your concern, okay?

You a good man you are.

Your cases are up Casi.

I have to go back in there and do some cases. Here’s my card, call me tomorrow if you still need help.

Good man!

Docket ending 645— People versus Darril Thorton ! Defendant is charged with Sex Abuse in the First Degree on the sworn complaint of Officer McAfee. Quiet in the courtroom! Counsel waive the reading of the rights and charges but not the rights thereunder?

Yes.

People any notices?

People are serving 190.50 felony grand jury notice. People are also serving statement notice: the defendant stated in sum and substance to Officer McAfee at the time of his arrest: I never touched that bitch, she’s a crazy crackhead. I’m on parole why would I do this? The people are also serving identification notice. There was a confirmatory point-out identification by the complaining witness in this cathe. The point-out was at the corner of 118th Street at the time and place of arrest. Your honor, the people are requesting that bail be set in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars. The defendant is a two-time predicate felon and in fact is a mandatory persistent in this case. In addition he’s had ten other misdemeanor convictions and has an extensive warrant history having warranted on virtually all of those cathes. He’s currently on parole your honor for a manslaughter conviction. He’s used different names, different dates of birth, and different social security numbers. In this case your honor, the complainant and the defendant are known to each other. The attack occurred in the complainant’s home and she’s concerned for her safety, we’re asking that you issue a full order of protection.

Counsel?

I’m serving cross grand jury notice on the people and I’m asking that you release my client on his own recognizance. I understand my client has a serious record judge but you’ll note that he’s been on parole almost two years and he’s been doing well; there haven’t been any violations. As CJA confirmed, he’s also been working during this time as an auto mechanic on 118th Street… in fact, he now informs me that he was arrested while at work at the garage. As far as the accusations in this case, he vehemently denies them judge. You’ll notice from looking at the complaint that there’s approximately a two-week lag between the date of this alleged incident and the arrest of my client so that certainly casts some doubt on the truth of these accusations.

People?

I don’t have any information on the reason for the delay your honor.

Well judge I would also like to know if there was any medical attention given to the complainant?

There was no medical attention your honor.

So this woman is making this accusation judge but there doesn’t appear to have been any immediate outcry or any medical attention. Additionally, it appears that the complainant may not be the most reliable witness here in that I understand upon information and belief that she has a drug problem and criminal history. My client’s address and employment have been verified by CJA judge so I’m requesting that you release him.

Bail is set in the amount of fifty thousand dollars… fifty thousand U.S. dollars! Full order of protection issued. The defendant is to have no contact whatsoever with the complainant in this case. The case is adjourned to the 180.80 date in Part F… Part F.

P.D. take charge, one going in! Step in you can communicate free of charge with the Department of Corrections. Next case is docket ending 646— People versus Robert Coomer . Defendant is charged with Robbery in the First Degree on the sworn complaint of Officer Molloy. Counsel waive the reading of the rights and charges but not the rights thereunder?

Yes.

People notices?

People are therving 190.50 felony grand jury notice. We are also serving statement notice: the defendant stated in sum and substance to the arresting officer at St. Luke’s Hospital at the time of arrest: I took my money but there was no knife. He’s mad because he don’t like my rook opening .

What was that?

Repeat that for the court reporter please Madame DA.

R-O-O-K opening. I don’t know what that means.

It’s chess.

Fine.

The people are requesting that bail be set in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars your honor.

What?

Quiet Robert, let me handle it.

Although the defendant is not a predicate this is a very serious case. The defendant and the complainant are former roommates. Apparently, the defendant pulled a knife on the complainant and stole two hundred dollars from him. The defendant has several misdemeanor convictions and a warrant history your honor.

Counsel?

Judge I’m serving cross grand jury notice on the people and requesting that you release my client on his own recognizance. In this case we have a two-month delay between the date of this alleged incident and the arrest of my client. The people have offered no explanation for that delay. It’s true there was a dispute in this case over money but it was money that belonged to my client and which the complainant wanted him to use to pay rent. The dispute became slightly physical but there was never any knife involved. If you look at his raps you’ll see that my client really doesn’t have much of a record: a few minor misdemeanors and certainly nothing that would suggest he is the kind of person who would pull a knife on a friend and commit a robbery. As you can see my client is on crutches and is not well physically. He was bought here directly from the hospital where he was being treated for two broken legs he sustained after falling off the roof of a building. Significantly, while he was in the hospital he was visited by the complainant in this case who offered to let my client move back in with him once he got out of the hospital. So, given that, I think it’s certainly unlikely that the complainant will be pursuing these charges any further from this point. For those reasons your honor I’m requesting that you release my client.