Letter to Councilman Charles Barron
ALTON H. MADDOX, JR. TELEPHONE: 718-834-9034
FAX: 718-834-1275
16 COURT STREET, SUITE 1901
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11241
December 2, 2005
Councilman Charles Barron
New York City Council
250 Broadway, Rm 1862
New York, NY 10007
Re: City Council Resolution
Dear Charles:
Maddox v. Prudenti et. al. was filed in Brooklyn Federal Court. Eliot Spitzer, the state attorney general, is seeking to dismiss for want of jurisdiction. This is not only a bogus defense but it also smacks of the Dred Scott case decided in the United States Supreme Court. Throughout these proceedings, I have enjoyed the support of Sis. Inez Barron.
Spitzer, like Mayor Michael Bloomberg, controls most Black leaders and many prominent activists in New York City. On December 12, 1987 many activists met in Newburgh, New York to show continuing support for Tawana Brawley, a fifteen-year-old, who was kidnapped and raped by white, law enforcement officials including Steven Pagones, an assistant district attorney in Dutchess County in November 1987.
Another culprit, Harry Crist, Jr. was murdered. Robert Abrams, the special prosecutor, had falsely labeled his death a suicide despite an autopsy report, showing a homicide, which was wrongfully suppressed until the defamation trial in 1998. Abrams’ motive obviously was to protect the murderers since no statute of limitations applies to a homicide. Like the murderers, he is still subject to a homicide prosecution as an accessory.
Needless, to say, I have had to pay a heavy price for adhering to my promise to the Brawley family. Of course, my promise was only expressed after prominent activists promised to remain with the case until justice was secured. Unfortunately, people are inclined to suffer from amnesia when money is put in their hands. Our community is full of prostitutes and it explains our position at the bottom of the totem pole.
I need for you, Al Vann, Larry Seabrook and William Perkins to spearhead an effort in the New York City Council to pass a resolution condemning my legal plight. This is not an improper request since it was members of the New York Legislature that initiated the disciplinary complaint against me for standing up for my people.
In its decision and order of August 1, 1994, the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department expressly noted that I consistently cried racism in the criminal justice system. To be reinstated to the practice of law, I must forfeit any First Amendment rights.
In line with my principles, I have represented you and Al Vann pro bono. The late Veronica Perry was a good friend of Perkins. Her son, Jonah, was falsely prosecuted. My representation of him pro bono for attempted murder and robbery after a white policeman killed his brother, Edmund, led to his acquittal. I also successfully represented Michael Briscoe in the Central Park jogger case. Perkins was also vocal in this case. The defendants lived in his election district. Larry and I have been longtime friends.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott taught us that the Supreme Court will measure the temperature of Blacks before its acts. If Blacks had continued to ride the bus after December 1, 1955, the Supreme Court would have refrained from ruling that segregated, intrastate bus travel was unconstitutional. This same expression of support must be conveyed to the Brooklyn Federal Court.
I am sure that all of you will attend the commemoration of December 12, 1987 at the Elks Plaza, 1068 Fulton Street in Brooklyn on December 8, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Don’s forget to bring the resolution. Let’s not treat Tawana like we treated Rosa Parks from 1956 to 1965.
Very truly yours,
.
AHM:sr
FAX: 718-834-1275
16 COURT STREET, SUITE 1901
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11241
December 2, 2005
Councilman Charles Barron
New York City Council
250 Broadway, Rm 1862
New York, NY 10007
Re: City Council Resolution
Dear Charles:
Maddox v. Prudenti et. al. was filed in Brooklyn Federal Court. Eliot Spitzer, the state attorney general, is seeking to dismiss for want of jurisdiction. This is not only a bogus defense but it also smacks of the Dred Scott case decided in the United States Supreme Court. Throughout these proceedings, I have enjoyed the support of Sis. Inez Barron.
Spitzer, like Mayor Michael Bloomberg, controls most Black leaders and many prominent activists in New York City. On December 12, 1987 many activists met in Newburgh, New York to show continuing support for Tawana Brawley, a fifteen-year-old, who was kidnapped and raped by white, law enforcement officials including Steven Pagones, an assistant district attorney in Dutchess County in November 1987.
Another culprit, Harry Crist, Jr. was murdered. Robert Abrams, the special prosecutor, had falsely labeled his death a suicide despite an autopsy report, showing a homicide, which was wrongfully suppressed until the defamation trial in 1998. Abrams’ motive obviously was to protect the murderers since no statute of limitations applies to a homicide. Like the murderers, he is still subject to a homicide prosecution as an accessory.
Needless, to say, I have had to pay a heavy price for adhering to my promise to the Brawley family. Of course, my promise was only expressed after prominent activists promised to remain with the case until justice was secured. Unfortunately, people are inclined to suffer from amnesia when money is put in their hands. Our community is full of prostitutes and it explains our position at the bottom of the totem pole.
I need for you, Al Vann, Larry Seabrook and William Perkins to spearhead an effort in the New York City Council to pass a resolution condemning my legal plight. This is not an improper request since it was members of the New York Legislature that initiated the disciplinary complaint against me for standing up for my people.
In its decision and order of August 1, 1994, the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department expressly noted that I consistently cried racism in the criminal justice system. To be reinstated to the practice of law, I must forfeit any First Amendment rights.
In line with my principles, I have represented you and Al Vann pro bono. The late Veronica Perry was a good friend of Perkins. Her son, Jonah, was falsely prosecuted. My representation of him pro bono for attempted murder and robbery after a white policeman killed his brother, Edmund, led to his acquittal. I also successfully represented Michael Briscoe in the Central Park jogger case. Perkins was also vocal in this case. The defendants lived in his election district. Larry and I have been longtime friends.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott taught us that the Supreme Court will measure the temperature of Blacks before its acts. If Blacks had continued to ride the bus after December 1, 1955, the Supreme Court would have refrained from ruling that segregated, intrastate bus travel was unconstitutional. This same expression of support must be conveyed to the Brooklyn Federal Court.
I am sure that all of you will attend the commemoration of December 12, 1987 at the Elks Plaza, 1068 Fulton Street in Brooklyn on December 8, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. Don’s forget to bring the resolution. Let’s not treat Tawana like we treated Rosa Parks from 1956 to 1965.
Very truly yours,
.
AHM:sr
posted by Attorney Alton Maddox at 4:25 PM
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