Missing from NY Dems: Concern for crime victims

It almost seems like all New York Democrats got the same memo to use the same talking points whenever anybody, particularly Republicans, criticize the criminal justice law changes approved by the Democratic majority in Albany last year.

You know, the changes that eliminated bail for most crimes, leading to daily reports about alleged drug dealers, wife beaters, bank robbers, repeat drunk drivers, confirmed gang members being immediately released after arrest only to go out and allegedly commit the same crimes.


Included are costly and cumbersome discovery changes that require prosecutors to turn over all crime evidence, including names and addresses of witnesses and victims, within 15 days or risk the case being tossed out of court. No matter that witnesses and victims don't want suspects to know who they are or where they live for fear of being assaulted or raped again.

With Democratic popularity plunging in the polls, the memo apparently advises Democrats to go on the offensive and accuse their critics of politicking and fear-mongering.

But it apparently says nothing about expressing sympathy or concern for crime victims.

Consider these examples:

Gary Ginsberg, a spokesman for state senate Democrats, tweeted on Feb. 9, "This vile politicking of a tragedy is disgusting"  after GOP Sen. John Flanagan said a repeat criminal. who allegedly shot two police officer and threatened to shoot another when released, should not have been on the street. Flanagan, Ginsberg tweeted, "should be ashamed of himself for this petty partisanship."


Jonathan Heppner, who says he works in the Democratic senate press office, tweeted on Feb. 6 after Nassau Police commissioner Patrick Ryder said in a statement that he had no direct evidence that a witness against the MS13 gang was killed by the MS13 gang as a result of the witness's identification being turned over to gang lawyers.

"Further proof of the fear-mongering & lies being pushed for political gain by @nysenategop &@NewYorkGOP.. Bet they won't apologize for the lies they've already spread about this tragedy..."

No matter that Ryder, who works for Democratic County Executive Laura Curran, had said he had no direct evidence at his first news conference about the witness killing. Or that Curran, who has called for "common sense' tweaks to the criminal justice reforms, had expressed sympathy for the murdered witness.


Senate Democratic spokesman Mike Murphy tweeted about bail reform on Feb. 5: "It’s crazy that opponents just lie and fearmonger."

Sean Ross Collins, a spokesman for Democratic Sen. Anna Kaplan of Great Neck, who voted for the reforms, tweeted, "Stop with the fear tactics. How shameful," to Republican spokeswoman Candice Giove. Giove runs a Repeal Bail Reform Facebook page and posts news stories from across the state about suspects being released after arrest.

But perhaps the worst was Legis. Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport), leader of the Nassau legislature's Democratic minority.

Abrahams today kicked off a hearing called by Republicans on the criminal justice changes, by accusing GOP lawmakers of "politicking and fearmongering".

He called the hearing a "farce" and an attempt to criticize Curran, despite her public call for amendments to the new laws.

Abrahams' complaints delayed Victor Maldonado, the grieving father of a young man allegedly killed by repeat drunk driver, from speaking about his son's death.


"Your premise from day one on this bill has been politics," Abrahams told Republicans. He contended that some lawmakers on Dec. 16  called on Curran to "denounce " bail reform.   "Like we should  call on members of Congress to denounce the Salt tax," Abrahams said.

Presiding officer Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) said, "Would you let Mr. Maldonado speak?  Mr. Maldonado."

But Abrahams continued over Nicolello's objections.


"We could have written a joint letter to the state," Abrahams said. "This hearing was made off a farce."

When finally allowed to talk, Maldonado made a heartfelt speech about his son Jonathan, 27, who was trying to make money for his wedding by driving for Uber when he was rear-ended and killed in January by an alleged drunk driver going 135 miles a hour on the William Floyd Parkway.

"I’m here to lend a voice to those who have become victims of bail reform," Maldonado said. 

"Jonathan's death is on the hands of the legislative body that enacted this law. It needs to be changed and it needs to be changed now," he said. "The families of victims don’t want flowers. They don’t want condolences. They sure as hell don't want their information given out..."

Maldonado cried at points in his speech-- and many people at the hearing cried along with him.

"Jonathan," he concluded. "We miss you so very much. Our hearts are broken but I will take comfort in knowing that your death will not be in vain."

Then finally, Abrahams expressed sympathy and concern.

"There is no words I can express on behalf of this caucus," Abrahams said. "We pray with God's help you will find your way through this very difficult situation."

"We will find justice for your son and all of those who have been hurt over the last several weeks in regard to changes to the bill."