[ad_1]
[Cequevousdevezsavoirpourbiencommencerlajournée:[Whatyouneedtoknowtostarttheday:[Cequevousdevezsavoirpourbiencommencerlajournée:[Whatyouneedtoknowtostarttheday:Receive New York today in your inbox.]
Councilor Jumaane Williams was arrested a dozen years ago in the last stretch of the public prosecutor 's defense race in New York, raking in what was already an unpredictable contest, his rivals demanding more information just before the poll opens on Tuesday.
Mr. Williams, 42, acknowledged Monday that he was arrested ten years ago for harassment and misdemeanor charges and that he had spent a night in detention after what he said. had called a "verbal disagreement" with his girlfriend at the time. The charges were withdrawn and the arrest report itself sealed.
Williams is considered a leading candidate in the defense of the rights of the lawyer after finishing second in the Lieutenant Governor's insurgency revolt against Democratic President Kathy Hochul.
Seventeen candidates were field-selected for the special elections and several rivals took advantage of the last-minute revelation of the arrest to ask questions about Williams' suitability for the job. Another member of the city council, allied with Mr. Williams, called for the opening of an investigation into the persons who disclosed what constituted a criminal record.
A law enforcement official said that Williams' girlfriend at the time had called the police on the evening of January 9, 2009, after an argument with him that he would have thrown him away. objects, fearing her for her safety.
A chair, a wall and a Christmas ornament have been damaged, but their value does not exceed 250 dollars. There was no casualty and Mr. Williams was arrested.
In an interview on Monday, Williams said that the events leading up to the arrest of 2009 had started as an argument, but he did not remember what it was about. During the discussion, Mr. Williams said he threw his girlfriend's purse on the floor and left the apartment to look for food for both.
"I went back and I fell on a chair. The chair hit the wall and a snow globe fell off a half-shelf, "he added. Mr. Williams stated that he had not intentionally damaged the chair or the snow globe. He denied throwing anything at the woman.
Back from food, Williams said he was surprised to see police at his home. "They told me to turn around and put your hands behind your back," he said. He said that he did not know who had called the police.
A police official said that arrests are mandatory in spousal abuse cases where there is a probable cause. Mr. Williams stated that he had been officially charged with nothing and had been sent back to court once again in the case. During this appearance, the judge filed the case and sealed the records.
Williams' ex-girlfriend, whom the New York Times did not identify because she was an alleged victim in a case of possible abuse, declined to comment. She had been with Mr. Williams for five years at the time of the arrest.
Campaign in Brownsville, Brooklyn, one day after news of his arrest became public in In the New York Daily News on Sunday, Williams said, "I'm still wondering why something was fired and sealed, why would there be a leak?"
Mr. Williams said the incident is used to perpetuate stereotypes about black men.
"We tend to say that black men are angry that way. There is a tendency to use things like this to inform that. It's one thing, "Williams said.
He also criticized Melissa Mark-Viverito, former president of the city council, and Nomiki Konst, a progressive activist, for organizing a joint press conference to draw attention to this arrest.
"They both know how easy it is for the" black man's syndrome "to root," Williams said. "I would like them to be more responsible. If you want to have this discussion, there is a better way. "
Ms Mark-Viverito and Ms Konst, who fought each other aggressively during the debates, came together to ask Mr Williams for more information.
Mrs. Mark-Viverito said she was "deeply concerned" by the arrest report. "Let's not forget," she said, "the run of this public lawyer started because of violence against women".
It is true that a special election is taking place in February, as former lawyer Letitia James stepped down after being elected Attorney General of New York State. And this office only opened last year because former Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman resigned in disgrace after being accused of physically assaulting several women.
Another advocate, Dawn Smalls, a lawyer, called Monday Mr. Williams or his attorney to the disclosure of his arrest report, even though she said: "The moment chosen for the publication of this report is alarming, given that the election will take place tomorrow. . "
The revelation of the arrest prompted the majority leader of the city council, Laurie A. Cumbo, to send a letter to the Office of the Inspector General of Police requesting that the leak be investigated for violations. police and city policies.
Mr. Williams' supporters continued to support him on the eve of the elections.
"Jumaane has been transparent. It was a learning experience a long time ago and no one was hurt, "said Gale A. Brewer, president of the Manhattan Borough, who supported Mr. Williams. "This is not a # MeToo situation."
[ad_2]
Source link