Shereen Bobrowsky, the disabled Yonkers woman, a senior, who claims there’s an ongoing attempt to wrongfully foreclose on her property-and to harass and intimidate her-wants to know why Judge Paul I. Marx, who’s presiding over the case hasn’t sanctioned the opposing party for violating deadlines set by the court for delivery of documents.

Separately, after reviewing some of the documents that are on the docket in the State Supreme Court, Westchester County, White Plains, New York, in light of past reports about compromised records in various court jurisdictions, in New York and elsewhere, this reporter is curious as to why there were no decisions and orders of the many motions Ms. Bobrowsky entered that requested important items such as “the accounting” and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement (PSA).

Ms. Bobrowsky, who is in her 70s, also believes a campaign to intimidate her has escalated and now become dangerous. Recently, after a short drive from her home, she realized she had a flat front tire. When she got out to inspect the flat, she discovered that a nail had been stuck into the tire.

“It’s one thing to send someone to snoop around my property or to steal my garbage,” Ms. Bobrowsky says, describing past incidents. “But to start puncturing my tire, knowing that I have to drive down a steep slope as soon as I leave my property, that’s something else,” she says.

Ms. Bobrowsky was sued by US Bank Trust National Association, Not In Its Individual Capacity But Solely As Owner Trustee for REO Trust 2017-RPL1, in the New York State Supreme Court, Westchester County, White Plains, New York.

This is a second article by Black Star News covering her ordeal, which she says keeps her awake at night and leaves her sick with a migraine headache, sometimes for days.

Ms. Bobrowsky says she has not missed a single mortgage payment since January 2003, and she has her records as proof. Yet, she is facing what she calls a third “wrongful, fraudulent, and illegal foreclosure” lawsuit. The first two-one in 2016 and the second in 2020-were both voluntarily discontinued by the bank, for no reason except to stall, causing her harm, Ms. Bobrowsky says. “In December, governor Hochul signed a bill into law called the foreclosure abuse prevention act that’s meant to prevent the type of abuse I’m enduring,” she says.

Ms. Bobrowsky previously complained of harassment by a man who comes to her home monthly to “inspect” the property, purportedly for the mortgage servicer (Nationstar dba Mr. Cooper), who Ms. Bobrowsky believes is behind the three lawsuits based on the same allegations. The man, whose identity she does not know, has taken her picture occasionally and one time even peered into her home from the window, she says.

Max Saglimbeni, an associate with Knuckles Komosinki & Manfro, LLP., the firm representing the plaintiff, didn’t respond to an earlier e-mail message from Black Star News asking him if the unidentified man works for his client. Ms. Bobrowsky said the man has not shown up since the first Black Star News article.

Also, Mr. Saglimbeni’s firm billed Ms. Bobrowsky $30,000 in legal fees for the work that they say they’ve done for their client. Mr. Saglimbeni didn’t respond to an earlier e-mail message by Black Star News inquiring about the bill and whether Judge Marx was aware of it.

Then recently, on two separate occasions, Ms. Bobrowsky’s green garbage bags disappeared. She suspects whoever stole them is fishing for evidence and she filed a police report after the first incident. “Now I put my dog’s pooh-pooh on top of the bag,” she says.

However, the tire incident suggests that whomever is trying to intimidate her is getting desperate, Ms. Bobrowsky says. One recent morning, accompanied by her 85-year-old cousin, the two were driving downhill to head to the farmers’ market when she realized she had a flat. After discovering the nail, she took her vehicle to a nearby repair shop.

Ms. Bobrowsky is confident justice will prevail if the court goes by the evidence alone. Yet, she’s troubled, she says, by the fact that Judge Marx didn’t sanction the plaintiff, through Saglimbeni, after they failed to deliver to her all the documents by the deadline as instructed by the court.

At an Aug. 21, 2024 hearing covered by Black Star News reporter Colin Benjamin, Judge Marx had directed Saglimbeni to produce the following documents to Ms. Bobrowsky by Sept. 30, 2024: her complete payment history; a copy of the promissory note and of all assignments and the attached allonges; a copy of the mortgage; a copy of all default notices, including the 90 day notice prior to initiating foreclosure as required by New York law; a copy of the affidavit of service, and; any documents that Saglimbeni intended to use for the summary judgment motion he told the judge that he intended to file.

The Sept. 30 deadline came and went, and the plaintiff hadn’t produced all the documents as directed by Judge Marx, including the critical complete payment history, and the promissory note and all assignments and the attached allonges, Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Yet, the court still allowed Saglimbeni to file a summary judgment motion which Ms. Bobrowsky was required to respond to-and did-by Dec. 20. “I’m the only one who’s supposed to play by the rules?” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “I’m also very concerned that the court has not provided any written decision and orders on my motions requesting the vital accounting, as well as the pooling and servicing agreement. This deprives me of my right to appeal.”

Judge Marx didn’t respond to questions about these two purported orders.

Ms. Bobrowsky also noticed what she called two “strange” orders on the court docket. The purported orders are attributed to Judge Marx. One is stamped on the upper right corner of a letter that Ms. Bobrowsky submitted to the court, and; the second one is stamped on the lower right hand of the letter. The first order, bearing a signature attributed to Judge Marx, stated, in part, “…the court accept’s plaintiff’s counsel’s representation in his letter dated 11/12/24 that the full payment history has been provided and that the Note and Allonges have been made available to the defendant…”

“This is nonsense. Why would I be requesting for the full payment history if they were provided,” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “Just like I said last time, I may be old and appear slow at times, but I’m no fool. I wonder how many other vulnerable homeowners are treated this way.”

“Instead of taking plaintiff’s word, ex parte, that plaintiff complied, Judge Marx should hold a hearing so both sides can be questioned and have the plaintiff produce the documents in open court,” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “I am being egregiously prejudiced by the withholding of documents with no sanctions against plaintiff. I have been requesting various documents for over one year now to no avail while discovery and depositions are also being withheld.”

“I demand sanctions for plaintiff’s failing to disclose the documents I have been requesting for over a year. But I also request the court to allow for full discovery for which I am entitled. I initially had an attorney but the court allowed him to be relieved as counsel over my objections. Now, all my requests seem to be for naught in this third foreclosure action that is based on clear fraud,” Ms. Bobrowsky adds.

The second order, on the lower right portion of Ms. Bobrowsky’s letter, also bearing a signature attributed to Judge Marx, stated: “The court apologizes. The documents which were to be delivered for in camera inspection, were in fact, delivered, timely, but through oversight, have not yet been reviewed.”

This was in reference to the un-redacted Pooling and Servicing Agreement (PSA), which Ms. Bobrowsky has been denied a copy, she says. The version Saglimbeni sent her is so redacted that it’s illegible, she said. Ms. Bobrowsky was informed previously that the court also hadn’t received an un-redacted copy; yet the purported order attributed to Judge Marx claimed a copy was indeed submitted.

“By saying I’m not entitled to an un-redacted Pooling and Servicing Agreement is akin to saying I’m not entitled to a defense. Plaintiff, and the court, are also refusing to supply the name of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, which is on the SEC website, but cannot be looked up without a name,” Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Ms. Bobrowsky says Judge Marx is wrongfully denying her access to Pooling And Servicing Agreement (PSA).

A second document that Ms. Bobrowsky discovered on the docket, a “Court Notice,” dated Nov. 13, 2024 stated in part: “The court has reviewed the Pooling And Servicing Agreement (“the Agreement”) which was submitted by Plaintiff’s counsel, as directed. Defendant’s request for an unredacted for an unredacted copy of the agreement is denied.” Ms. Bobrowsky states that since this was not a decision and order but merely a Court Notice, she cannot appeal the denial.

“I don’t know whom and what to believe anymore,” Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Judge Marx did not respond to an e-mail message from Black Star News seeking confirmation that the purported ex parte orders were authentic and that the two signatures belong to him. The judge also didn’t respond to a question seeking confirmation that he did in fact receive and review an un-redacted copy the PSA, and a question as to why Ms. Bobrowsky can’t be provided with a copy.

The questions sent to Judge Marx were also copied to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Yonkers Police Commissioner, Christopher Sapienza, the plaintiff’s lawyer Saglimbeni, and Judge Anne E. Minihan, the District Administrative Judge.

“Your e-mail is received,” Judge Minihan’s office responded, confirming receipt of the copied questions.

As reported in the earlier Black Star News article, the plaintiff also failed to provide the complete payments history when directed on Dec. 21, 2023, to be supplied within three weeks to do so by court attorney referee, Sheila Gabay, when the matter was in settlement conference, Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Ms. Bobrowsky previously alleged that the signature attributed to Ms. Theresa Barrett, as the person who signed and notarized that she witnessed Ms. Tamara Sulea execute an assignment of mortgage on September 6, 2019 is “a forgery”-an allegation which has since been confirmed by the authorities in Los Angeles, Ca., where Ms. Barrett’s notary oath is kept, Ms. Bobrowsky says.

What’s more, Ms. Bobrowsky claims, the purported assignment of mortgage filed in the Westchester County Clerk’s office is also fraudulent. The document states that it was executed on Nov. 6, 2019, which is two months after Notary Public Ms. Barnett’s signature-the same signature Ms. Bobrowsky claims was forged.

Mr. Saglimbeni also didn’t respond to questions about this allegation. “I’m perplexed as to why the Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni has not referred the filing of a false instrument for investigation by the District Attorney or the Attorney General,” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “When a fraud is brought to the head of the county clerk, they have a duty to maintain the laws in its government entity. Filing a false document is a misdemeanor, but when it affects a deed, it is a felony.”

If you’ve been the victim of an illegal or wrongful foreclosure and have documentation please reach the reporter at mallimadi@gmail.com

The post Elderly Yonkers Homeowner In Alleged “Wrongful Foreclosure” Questions Why Judge Marx Won’t Sanction Plaintiff for Violations appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Body-Cam\Office of New York Attorney General

The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) today condemned the brutal killing of Robert Brooks, who was beaten to death by a group of corrections officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement:

“The Legal Defense Fund condemns the sadistic and violent killing of Robert Brooks in the strongest terms possible. The video released of Brooks’ final moments is gut-wrenching and horrifying. The group of corrections officers in the video beat and terrorized a human being who was shackled, restrained, and showed no signs of provocation. The officers in the video, who are at times seen smiling in apparent enjoyment of the brutal ordeal, displayed unimaginable cruelty and a callous disregard for human life. They should be brought to justice and fully held to account.

“This horrific attack is not an isolated incident – it reflects a broader, systemic failure to protect the dignity, humanity, and safety of human beings behind bars. It also is a stark reminder of the grievous harms of mass incarceration, which has disproportionately devastated the lives of countless Black families and communities. The failure to protect incarcerated people’s basic rights, combined with corrections officers seemingly unfettered discretion with little to no oversight, too often creates an environment that facilitates rampant human rights violations and unspeakable crimes like those suffered by Robert Brooks. LDF applauds the New York Attorney General for her office’s swift investigation of this heinous crime. Let this painfully dehumanizing video serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to replace what is an unquestionably barbaric carceral system with a public safety framework that serves and protects us all. We must also work to immediately improve the conditions and safety of the almost two million people who are held in our jails and prisons – the largest incarcerated population in the world.”

Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation’s first civil rights law organization. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights. 

The post Legal Defense Fund Condemns “Sadistic And Violent Killing Of Robert Brooks” By New York Prison Officials appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Body-Cam\Office of New York Attorney General

The December 12th Movement released the following alert announcing a press conference for Monday, December 30th to address the beating death of Robert L. Brooks, on December 10, 2024, by New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Marcy, Oneida County.

“As the Black community comes together to celebrate “Nia” (Purpose), on the fifth day of Kwanzaa, we are outraged, but not surprised, at the cold-blooded murder of Robert Brooks by NYS corrections officers (New York governor orders firing of 14 prison workers after fatal attack on inmate|New York| The Guardian).

“On Monday, December 30th at 11:am, the December 12th Movement, community leaders and elected officials are holding a press conference at the office of NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, 633 Third Avenue.”

The post December 12th Movement Holding Monday Press Conference To Address “Cold-Blooded Murder Of Robert Brooks By NYS Corrections Officers” At Governor Hochul’s City Office appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Edwin Freeman 

As Queens’ District 28 looks ahead to the spring 2025 City Council election, candidate Latoya LeGrand, founder of the influential Southeast Queens nonprofit Projects II Projects, is advancing a vision of community renewal rooted in family values and civic engagement.

“Our community’s strength comes from our families working together, supporting each other, and building for the future,” LeGrand shared during a recent community gathering at the Projects II Projects headquarters. “When we talk about bringing in the new New York, we need to start with empowering our families and strengthening the bonds that make our community resilient.”

LeGrand’s track record of community service through Projects II Projects has established her as a trusted voice in Southeast Queens. Her organization has been at the forefront of implementing programs that address critical community needs, from youth development initiatives to family support services.

“What sets our approach apart is that we’ve been doing this work on the ground, day in and day out,” LeGrand explains. “We understand the challenges our families face because we’ve been working alongside them, creating solutions together.”

As she campaigns for City Council, LeGrand shares her blueprint for community empowerment, drawing from her extensive experience in nonprofit leadership:

1. Build Strong Family Foundations

“Through Projects II Projects, we’ve seen firsthand how supporting families creates ripple effects throughout the community,” LeGrand notes. “Every program we develop starts with asking how it will strengthen family bonds.”

2. Empower Youth Leaders

Drawing from her organization’s successful youth programs, LeGrand emphasizes the importance of mentorship and leadership development. “Our young people aren’t just the future – they’re leaders right now, and we need to give them the tools to succeed.”

3. Foster Economic Opportunity

“Economic empowerment is crucial for family stability,” LeGrand states. “We need to expand job training programs, support small businesses, and create pathways to sustainable careers.”

4. Enhance Community Resources

LeGrand advocates for expanding access to essential services. “Every family deserves quality healthcare, education, and recreational facilities within their neighborhood.”

5. Promote Civic Engagement

“Change happens when communities come together and make their voices heard,” LeGrand emphasizes. “That’s been the cornerstone of our work at Projects II Projects.”

Looking ahead to the spring 2025 election, LeGrand’s campaign builds on her organization’s proven track record of community impact. Her leadership of Projects II Projects has demonstrated her ability to transform community aspirations into concrete results.

“This campaign is about bringing the same energy and commitment we’ve shown at Projects II Projects to city government,” LeGrand declares. “We’ve proven what’s possible when we invest in our families and communities. Now it’s time to scale these solutions across District 28.”

LeGrand continues her active community engagement through both her campaign and Projects II Projects’ ongoing initiatives. Her unique position as a nonprofit leader has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the district’s needs and potential.

“As we enter 2025, we have an opportunity to strengthen our community’s voice in city government,” LeGrand states. “When we focus on family values, support our youth, and work together, we create lasting positive change.”

Her campaign emphasizes practical solutions to community challenges, informed by years of hands-on experience in community service. Through Projects II Projects, LeGrand has already implemented many of the programs and initiatives she hopes to expand through public office.

“We’re not just talking about change – we’re already making it happen,” LeGrand concludes. “With your support in the spring 2025 election, we can bring these proven solutions to every corner of District 28.”

For more information about Latoya LeGrand’s campaign and Projects II Projects’ community initiatives, residents can visit her campaign office in Southeast Queens or attend one of her regular community forums.

The post Nonprofit Founder Latoya LeGrand Brings Grassroots Experience To District 28 Council Race appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Body-Cam\Office of New York Attorney General

Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement in wake of footage released this afternoon that shows correction officers fatally beating inmate Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Utica, New York.

Brooks, 43, had been serving a 12-year sentence since 2017 at the facility when he was beaten by several officers on December 9th. He died a day later of what the local medical examiner called “asphyxia due to compression of the neck.”

Governor Hochul subsequently ordered the firing of 14 officers at the facility, and Brooks’ death is now being investigated by four agencies including the New York Attorney General’s Office, which released the footage on Friday. 

“The footage of Robert Brooks’ death is as horrifying as what we saw when George Floyd, Tyre Nichols, and countless other Black men and women have been killed by law enforcement. These officers clearly thought they were within their right to hit Brooks in the stomach with the heel of a boot, level punches at his face or torso, and throw him around like a ragdoll—all with his hands behind his back. They were wrong. It is disturbing that some of them had the sense to smile and smirk while a human being was forced against a wall by three officers just a few feet away. Their actions in this tape not only justify their firing but should merit appropriate criminal charges. 

I and the National Action Network want to thank New York State’s leaders for their swift action to address this heinous murder. Governor Hochul’s decision to rightfully fire the 14 officials involved has been followed up with transparency by Attorney General James. This is a signal to the rest of the nation that leaders have a sworn duty to respond to unspeakable acts such as these for the sake of those murdered and their families. My hope is that the criminal justice system will see this case through and ensure justice for Robert Brooks and his loved ones.” 

About National Action Network (NAN)
National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency, and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender.

For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.

The post Sharpton On Killing Of Black Man By New York Corrections Officers: “Footage Of Robert Brooks’ Death Is…Horrifying” appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Body-Cam Shots

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today released body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Robert Brooks, who died on December 10, 2024 after an encounter with New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in Marcy, Oneida County.

On December 9, Mr. Brooks was transferred from Mohawk Correctional Facility to Marcy Correctional Facility, both in Oneida County. Mr. Brooks, who was handcuffed with his hands behind his back, was then taken to a medical examination room where the events captured in the video took place. Mr. Brooks was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead in the early morning hours of December 10.

The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) of the Attorney General’s Office released video from body-worn cameras that four correction officers were equipped with during the incident. The footage includes both the four videos at their full length and versions of the four videos cropped to show only images of Mr. Brooks and the officers’ interactions with Mr. Brooks. The release of this footage follows Attorney General James’ directive that camera footage obtained by her office during an OSI investigation be released to the public to increase transparency and strengthen public trust in these matters.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

The release of this footage is not an expression of any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of any party in a criminal matter or any opinion as to how or whether any individual may be charged with a crime.

Warning: This video contains content that viewers may find disturbing.

The post Video Showing Beating Death Of Black Man By Hands Of New York Correction Officers Released appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Edwin Freeman

In a heartfelt message to the residents of Southeast Queens, City Council candidate Latoya LeGrand shared her warmest wishes for the holiday season, emphasizing the strong bonds of community that define the district.

“As we gather with our loved ones during this special time of year, I want to extend my deepest and most sincere holiday wishes to every family in Southeast Queens,” LeGrand expressed. “Our community’s strength lies in our unity, our shared experiences, and our unwavering support for one another.”

LeGrand reflected on the spirit of giving that characterizes the holiday season, noting how Southeast Queens residents consistently demonstrate this spirit throughout the year. “From our local food drives to neighborhood clean-up initiatives, I’ve witnessed firsthand how our community comes together to support those in need. This holiday season reminds us that these acts of kindness and solidarity are what truly make Southeast Queens special.”

The council candidate emphasized the importance of family traditions and community celebrations during the holidays. “Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, or simply enjoying time with family, these moments of togetherness strengthen the fabric of our community,” LeGrand said. “Every lit Christmas tree, every kinara flame, and every family gathering adds to the warmth and joy that make our neighborhood unique.”

Looking ahead to 2025, LeGrand shared her hopes for the district: “As we celebrate this holiday season, let’s carry forward the spirit of unity and compassion that defines our community. My wish is for every resident to experience the joy, peace, and love that this season represents.”

The candidate concluded her message by encouraging residents to look out for one another during the holiday season. “Remember to check on your neighbors, especially our seniors and those who might be spending the holidays alone. Together, we can ensure that everyone in Southeast Queens feels the warmth and joy of this special time of year.”

LeGrand will continue her community engagement efforts throughout the holiday season, participating in local food drives and community celebrations across Southeast Queens.

The post Queens Council Candidate Latoya LeGrand Extends Warm Holiday Wishes To Southeast Queens Community appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons

This weekend, Governor Hochul vetoed the Jury of Our Peers Act (S.206B-Cleare/A.1432C-Aubry), a bill that would have ended New York’s lifetime ban on jury service for people with felony convictions. The veto guarantees racial inequities remain in New York’s jury system and keeps New York in the minority of states that permanently take away this basic civic right.

Following Governor Hochul’s veto, civil rights and public defender organizations issue the following statements:

“Governor Hochul chose to reject what would have been an enormous stride towards racial equity, justice, and fairness within our state’s democratic system,” said Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “Every day, New York’s  jury ban shuts hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers out of civic engagement, denying people the ability to fully participate in our state’s democratic process, disproportionately Black New Yorkers. By rejecting this pro-democracy bill and maintaining a lifetime ban on jury service for people with a past felony conviction who have already paid their debt to society, Hochul has stalled the process of creating a fairer legal system and kept us lagging behind most states. Everyone deserves to be judged by a jury of our peers, and we’ll keep fighting to make that a reality here in New York.” 

“We are greatly disappointed that the Governor has vetoed the “Jury of our Peers Act” which would have finally ended the lifetime ban on jury service for New Yorkers with felony convictions,” said Phil Desgranges, Attorney-in-Charge of Criminal Law Reform at The Legal Aid Society. “This long overdue legislation would have brought New York in line with the majority of states that recognize that restoration of civic duties like jury service is an essential part of successful reentry after prison. More diverse jury pools — which are subject to individualized screening before selection as a juror — help to lessen the stark racial disparities that have eroded public confidence in the fairness and equity of our legal system. By vetoing this commonsense legislation, the Governor has prevented New York from correcting an exclusion that unfairly stigmatizes the communities we serve, the majority of whom are people of color. We thank State Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry for sponsoring the Jury of Our Peers Act and the leadership in both houses for passing the bill. We will continue to fight for an end to this tool of systemic racism and a new era where a person accused of a crime can finally be judged by a jury of their peers.”

“Since this nation’s founding, the rights enshrined in our Constitution have not been applied equally to all people. Nearly 250 years later, the Governor’s veto of “Jury of Our Peers,” a bill that would restore jury eligibility to New Yorkers with a felony conviction, reveals with startling clarity just how far we are away from achieving this essential tenet of American democracy,” said Megan French-Marcelin, Senior Director of New York State Policy at the Legal Action Center. “For decades, Black and Latine New Yorkers have been systematically denied the right to serve on juries even as they are disproportionately subject to racist policing and prosecution. This bill, championed by Senator Cordelle Cleare and Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry, issued a common sense corrective providing New York an opportunity to expand fairness in a two-tiered system of justice. We applaud our sponsors for their hard work, and remain committed to passing legislation that provides jury eligibility to everyone, irrespective of their conviction history.”

“With her veto, Governor Hochul disregarded the will of the legislature in order to preserve a Jim Crow-era law,” said Stan Germán, Executive Director of New York County Defender Services. “In Manhattan, where we practice, the permanent prohibition on jury service for people with felony convictions is highly visible. Manhattan’s communities of color have been over policed for decades. They have suffered from socio-economic disenfranchisement and overcrowded and underfunded schools. As a result, 40% of Black men in Manhattan have a felony conviction and are  prohibited from the opportunity to serve on a jury because of a prior conviction. It is no surprise, then, that our Black and brown clients are regularly forced to try their case in front of a jury that does not reflect the diversity of their life experience or the community that they were raised in. New York County Defender Services will continue to fight alongside the bill’s champions for full automatic restoration of the right to be considered for jury service for all people.”

“A just and fair jury, a jury that is a true reflection of a community’s conscience, values and beliefs, requires us to uplift those that have been directly impacted not exclude them,” said Porsha-Shaf’on Venable, MSW/JD, at The Bronx Defenders. “Recognizing that community members don’t lose their voice, value or being a peer, because they have a criminal conviction is vital to a fair, just and diverse jury. Signing this Bill would have been a step in the direction of realizing the words of the Magna Carta and the Constitution ‘no free man could be punished without ‘the lawful judgment of his peers.’”

The post Governor Hochul Vetoes Pro-Democracy Bill Expanding Jury Service Access appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Edwin Freeman

In a strategic move to bolster her City Council campaign, Queens District 28 candidate Latoya LeGrand made a significant appearance at the Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club’s Annual Holiday party on Saturday, December 15th, networking with some of New York City’s most prominent Democratic leaders.

The event, held against the backdrop of a critical upcoming election cycle, saw LeGrand rubbing shoulders with key political figures including New York Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. Her presence at this high-profile gathering signals a robust commitment to building political momentum for her Spring 2025 campaign.

LeGrand is positioning herself to succeed current Councilwoman Adrienne E. Adams, who is terming out of the District 28 seat. The upcoming election represents a critical opportunity for Democrats to maintain their local political representation in an increasingly competitive electoral landscape.

The holiday party provided an ideal platform for LeGrand to showcase her political acumen and solidify connections within the local Democratic establishment. By engaging directly with influential party leaders, she is laying the groundwork for a formidable campaign strategy.

As the political season heats up, LeGrand’s strategic networking and visible presence at key Democratic events underscore her ambition and determination to secure the City Council seat.

The post Latoya LeGrand Solidifies Democratic Connections At Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club Holiday Celebration appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Video Screenshot\Greece Police Department

NEW YORK – On December 9, Robert L. Brooks, an incarcerated man at Marcy Correctional Facility, was reportedly physically assaulted by correction officers while in handcuffs. He died the following day. In response, the New York Civil Liberties Union released the following statement attributable to Executive Director Donna Lieberman: 

“The NYCLU is extremely disturbed by the death of Robert L. Brooks, after he was allegedly brutally attacked by correction officers while in handcuffs. The circumstances surrounding Mr. Brooks’s death demand a full investigation and transparency, which starts with releasing the full body camera footage without delay. 

“Unfortunately, Mr. Brooks’s fatal beating is not an isolated incident. Rather, it highlights a culture of violence and a lack of accountability for wrongdoing by corrections officers that puts the lives of incarcerated New Yorkers at risk.  

“No one should die in custody at the hands of corrections officers, who are charged with the safety and security of individuals in DOCCS’s facilities. Mr. Brooks’s family and all New Yorkers deserve transparency and accountability.” 

The post NYCLU Demands Transparency And Accountability Over Fatal Beating Of Incarcerated Man At Central NY Prison appeared first on Black Star News.