Conspiracy or crap? That’s the question U.S. District Judge David Larimer has been asking himself over an investigation into whether Monroe County District Attorney’s Office conspired to free coppers accused of anti-gay bias.
The story goes a little something like this – five young adults claim that in June of 2007 they were attacked by some homophobic thugs. The cops who responded to the incident, they say, used anti-gay slurs and excessive force. Internal affairs investigated, but the grand jury failed to indict the officers.
Now the youth claim District Attorney Michael Green and other Rochester officials worked to steer the grand jury in exchange for political favors.
Their lawyer, Christina Agola also alleges that an official from the District Attorney’s office came to her house and, in a threatening manner, reminded her that the kids would not get immunity for testifying before a grand jury. As a result, she didn’t put her clients on the stand. Larimer, meanwhile, doubts the validity of Agola and company’s claims:
A federal judge challenged whether any proof exists that the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office conspired last year to ensure that city police officers accused of anti-gay slurs and excessive force would not face criminal charges.
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Larimer said the [immunity] statement may not have been a threat, but sound legal advice from the DA’s office. Prosecutors are under no obligation to offer immunity to witnesses before a grand jury, Larimer said.“There was nothing at all which prevented your clients from going before the grand jury, which citizens do every day without the benefit of immunity,” Larimer said.
Plus, he said, there was no proof that the DA’s office concealed or fabricated evidence before the grand jury, as the lawsuit alleged.
No word on when Larimer plans on ruling in the case.
How about we take this to the next level?
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