FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2020
Contact: Reynolds Graves | rgraves@skdknick.com | 313.205.8675
ICYMI: PUBLIC OFFICIALS FALSELY ATTACK CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS
As Reforms Are Implemented Across the State, Officials Knowingly Misled the Public
NEW YORK — As opponents to reform continue their efforts to sabotage legislative efforts to reform New York’s criminal justice system, news outlets are holding them accountable for knowingly misleading the public. These attempts to undermine long overdue, commonsense reforms were called out by the New York Timesand the New York Post this week when it came to light that public officials on Long Island falsely blamed criminal justice reform for a terrible tragedy — causing undue concerns over criminal justice reforms.
- New York Times: “An examination of court records on Thursday indicated that in fact the information was never disclosed to the defendants in the case — and that the new criminal justice policies had nothing to do with the murder of Wilmer Maldonado Rodriguez.”
- New York Post:“The scapegoating came Wednesday when Nassau County authorities announced the death of 36-year-old Wilmer Maldonado Rodriguez over the weekend — and used the platform to slam New York’s new discovery laws that took effect Jan. 1, requiring prosecutors hand over a list of witnesses to defense attorneys in criminal cases.”
This case is unacceptable and this deliberate misinformation campaign must end. New Yorkers United for Justice (NYUJ) will continue to call on legislators and law enforcement personnel to have an honest conversation about reforms.
“These officials deserve to be called out for their attempts to mislead the public,” said Khalil A. Cumberbatch chief strategist at New Yorkers United for Justice. “It is irresponsible and a new low in a pattern of purposefully demagoguing common sense reforms to scare people for political gain. It is also a violation of their sworn duty to uphold the laws of the State of New York and to represent their constituents faithfully. We’re ready to have an honest conversation about reforms, but first, officials need to end their misinformation campaign.”
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