Judge to cop: you have a gun, we don't
I'm surprised this didn't kick up a little bit more controversy.
Judge to cop: you have a gun, we don't
I'm surprised this didn't kick up a little bit more controversy. Smokin' Joe Frazier's daughter, Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde, is a city municipal court judge. She found herself in quite a pickle Thursday when she down-graded charges against a man who allegedly punched a cop in the throat, and then directed a wise crack at the clearly upset officer. An excerpt from the story Wendy Ruderman and I did:
It's a scenario that plays out again and again in courtrooms all over the city. Johnson and other cops say they've almost come to expect judges to toss out the felony charge in police-assault cases.
But in rendering her decision, Frazier-Lyde made remarks that left Johnson fuming.
According to Johnson and others in the courtroom, Frazier-Lyde said something like: "It's open season on all of us and we don't got guns and vests."
Frazier-Lyde's comment came after the prosecutor implored her to keep the felony charge against Jeminez, particularly in light of Tuesday's slaying of Officer Patrick McDonald, according to those in the courtroom.
"Your Honor, it's open season on police," said Assistant District Attorney Chaka Johnson, who is not related to Officer Johnson.
"That boiled my blood so bad, I had to walk out," said Mark Johnson, an eight-year veteran who works in the 35th Police District, with headquarters at Broad and Champlost streets in Ogontz.
Chaka Johnson told the judge that the law dictates that cops, teachers and nurses are in a "protected class," which means perpetrators who strike them are automatically charged with a felony.
Frazier-Lyde suggested that the law is unfair to all those who live in crime-ridden neighborhoods - like the area of 17th and Colorado, where McDonald was killed - according to those in the courtroom.
To read the rest, click here.
""Frazier-Lyde suggested that the law is unfair to all those who live in crime-ridden neighborhoods .... If this is to be inferred from her remarks regarding her interpolation of this law in the book, how may I ask was Mrs. Frazier-Lyde, able to become a municipal judge in our city?? How can she be relied upon to enforce the laws as they are written if she changes them indiscriminately for people breaking the laws and finding themselves before her bench ?? Just because a person has grown up or lives in what is considered a blighted neighborhood and becomes entangled with law breaking and being in the judicial system shouldn't be held above a law for that reason! That is why we have laws to help maintain order especially in areas that are more "crime ridden" than others. Judge Frazier's, decision sends a message back to all of these 'crime - ridden neighborhoods" that you can put your hands on and assault a police officer and other members of law enforcement when being questioned when it's not to your liking!! Down grading charges of a perp doesn't help instill order to these "crime - ridden neighborhoods". It can only bolster their brazen disregard of authority and the laws that the rest of us are expected to obey! This wasn't a domestic dispute case or feuding neighbors being brought into her court room to settle their dispute. This was a man brought up on charges for assaulting a police officer!! To lesson the charges during the same week such tragedy was suffered by the police department at the hands of another who also had disregard for obeying the LAW is a slap in the face to those who made a choice to protect and serve our communities. No wonder our city is in disarray!!— s3g- "It's open season on all of us and we don't got guns and vests." Amen....they're going to start treating us (blacks & latinos) like 3/5 of a human being again. and contrary to popular belief by whites, cops are not angels flying in the sky. the shoot, kill, violate rights, and disrespect us on a daily basis.— concerned_black_woman
- "It's open season on all of us and we don't got guns and vests." Amen....they're going to start treating us (blacks & latinos) like 3/5 of a human being again. and contrary to popular belief by whites, cops are not angels flying in the sky. cops shoot, kill, violate our rights, and disrespect us on a daily basis.— concerned_black_woman
- they did a good job burying the story on this judge. What a disgrace to justice she is. That comment is nothing but a slap in the face to upstanding citizens. I guess if you live in a crime ridden neighborhood you're exempt from the law. Why is crime ridden in the first place? How is those in poverty can afford guns and drugs but not improve their lives?— blourgrl
- With judges making remarks like that its no wonder all the criminals are in the street. I wonder if some thug had shot her or her family member would she feel the same. WHAT AN A**HOLE— nettiegzzz
- Bravo, Judge we need to stop the madness that promotes cops are special characters. They aren't. They get paid well to do a job they know has dire consequences. Really!— Pathways
