Lame New York Democrats writhing over the damage they’ve done to criminal justice

Not only did the Democrats stop Albany District Attorney David Soares from testifying devastatingly at the January 30 State Senate hearing on their criminal justice reform, they are now trying to deny they did anything of the sort. What worms.

Soares and the New York District Attorneys Association say Dems canceled his invitation the night before the hearing.

But Senate Democrat Mike Murphy denies this, pretending that lawmakers were perfectly happy to let Soares testify – even knowing that he will name the catastrophic losses their “reforms” have inflicted on minorities, and that his words will carry extra weight because Soares himself is black progressive.

Really, Mike? Funny: Soares spent hours preparing his performances, and he had no reason not to do them himself. He calls Murphy’s denial a complete “fiction”.

And although Murphy admits somebody Representative Dems discussed the matter with DAASNY the night before the hearing, he refuses to speak WHO.

Which makes Soares and DAASNY the only ones to claim a completely different version of themselves.

And Soares’ absence made it much easier for Democratic senators to get back on their feet when DAASNY President Tony Jordan, a white Republican, read out Soares’ scheduled remarks.

Senator Jamaal Bailey (D-Bronx) called them “offensive” and “condescending,” complaining, “I’m curious how evidence like this even reaches us in public hearings.” Hm? Public hearings are specifically designed to allow opponents to raise objections. He just couldn’t handle the challenge.

Once again, immediately after the reforms (in particular, cashless collateral) came into force in January 2020, crime increased dramatically.

“In New York City alone, crime rose by 20%, ending a 27-year period of annual crime decline,” Soares said in a deposition. It was before COVID broke out, so Dems can’t use that as an excuse.

In the first six months of that year, 39.6% of defendants released on “non-monetary” bail were re-arrested before trial. For persons with a criminal record, this figure was 44.6%.

And the reforms “have had the most devastating impact on black and brown communities.”

Soares clearly cares more about public safety than politics.

“The legislators tried to silence me,” he said, “but the real victims are those who suffer the consequences of violent crime.” It’s not just “data points; they are people.” Their stories “need to be told.”

True. Too bad the Democrats refuse to listen.