Brooklyn DA Hynes Accused of Ignoring Misconduct
A federal judge has put Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes in the unusual position of having to defend himself before a jury — against claims he is “deliberately indifferent” to misconduct by prosecutors in his office.
The judge ruled Friday that Jabbar Collins, who served 15 years for a murder he did not commit, can argue at his upcoming civil trial Hynes has never disciplined an assistant district attorney in “scores” of prosecutorial misconduct cases.
It is extremely rare for a judge to allow such an accusation, known as a Monell claim, to go forward against a district attorney’s office in New York City, legal experts told the Daily News.
The Brooklyn federal judge who threw out Collins’ conviction in 2010 called the conduct of prosecutors — including rackets bureau chief Michael Vecchione — during the trial and subsequent appeals “shameful.”
Hynes responded with a press release announcing Vecchione would not be punished because he had done nothing wrong.
In Friday’s decision, Judge Frederic Block wrote, “The Court concludes that Collins’ allegations regarding Hynes’ response — or lack thereof — to misconduct by Vecchione and other assistants make plausible his theory that Hynes was so deliberately indifferent to the underhanded tactics that his subordinates employed as to effectively encourage them to do so.”
Collins’ lawyer Joel Rudin said in a statement he would immediately seek videotaped depositions of Hynes and Vecchione.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Hynes, who faces a tough re-election battle this year from former Brooklyn federal prosecutor Kenneth Thompson and former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Abe George.
Collins’ Monell claim survived motions to dismiss despite a daunting burden to show Hynes was aware of his subordinates’ unconstitutional conduct and did nothing.
A spokesman for Hynes declined to comment.
Collins was convicted in 1995 of fatally shooting Rabbi Abraham Pollack during a robbery and sentenced to 33 years to life.
When a key witness tried to recant, Vecchione allegedly threatened to smash him over the head with a coffee table, and employed illegal tactics to pressure him to stand by his previous testimony, according to court papers.
Vecchione is accused of fabricating evidence Collins and his family threatened another witness.
The city, the district attorney’s office and two NYPD detectives involved are named in the $150 million lawsuit The judge granted Vecchione and two other prosecutors immunity. The trial is scheduled for April 8.
CHLEAKS.COM
There is a judge who sees and hears all and he delivers justice.
Anyone who in anyway – Jew or non-Jew- participated in the Shomrim Six blood libel will pay for it one way or the other.
Jewish innocent blood is not cheap!!!
Williamsburg
Hey! I thought that soon Hynes will have locked up half of williamsburg.
If he will loose re-election who will stand on top of every tznius/molestation claim to lock up the accused and all of their supporters!
I think that Williamsburg has to make a day of Hallel!
Happy
In my opinion “Ba-avod Reshoim Rina”, when a man who is targeting Jewish criminals for his own political agenda – we should rejoice at his downfall.
I really don’t think that the guy is doing any good to our kids. I don’t think our streets a one bit safer when he puts Jewish criminals behind bars far longer than a non Jew who commits the same crime. I don’t think we benefit when he plasters our sour apples all over the news.
If you disagree I want to hear.
R' SHLOMO IN ERETZ YISROEL
Good news for the Yiddish world in New York. Maybe now you will wake up how Charles Hynes is “accusing” alot of innocent vicitims. I “allege” he;s a rapport Anti-Semite. It’s about time to bring up Charles Hynes leadership/ the running his “team” on miscondtuct. I anxiously await his trial this April.
And are there any other clue who did kill, murder, Rabbi Avrahom Pollack ?!
How can a 77-78 year old man expect to run for office again and again to run a powerful position/ office. New York should have age limitaions set up for elected officials.
I for one “cringe” and get sick to my stomach, when another jew and Rabbis, get accused for various crimes. I truly do not believe and accept their various so-called crimes. I always believed that ” You ARE innocent until proven guilty”.
My fellow Crown Heights and “leadership” should take note. To back-up Charles Hynes is SHAMEFUL. Do not allow even a single jew to be “Thrown under the bus”. We here in Eretz Yisroel Are anxiously expecting the up-coming visit of President Obama to bombard him among other issues to release Jonathan Pollard.
Unfortunately we did not heed the predictions/ words of Rabbi Meir Kahane and his son, Rabbi Binyomin Kahane of blessed memories.
I hope my words/ thoughts will be accepted and printed in these comments. Thank You.
Are Serious?
Release Jonathan Pollard.
Oh Charley
In this generation dictators fall flat on their face.
it is too long you rule brooklyn like a dictator.
Thw Law is to protect citizens from People like you.
such and such
I still remember how Charles Hynes, bowed to pressure from the Boro Park community, and gave a known child molester 30 days of house arrest. So now he’s overcorrecting.