Mar 27, 2009 2:56 pm US/Eastern
NY State Senator Arraigned; Asserts His Innocence
Hiram Monserrate Faces Felony Assault Charges, Accused Of Slashing His Girlfriend In The Face
At Queens Criminal Court Friday Former Councilman Insists He's Innocent
Reporting
Jay Dow
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
New York State Senator Hisam Monserrate was surrounded by a group of supporters on the steps of the Queens Criminal Courthouse after his arraignment on Friday. The former councilman asserted his innocence, saying the incident was an accident.
CBS
It's a case that could damage his career.
New York State Senator Hiram Monserrate faced a judge Friday morning amid accusations that he assaulted his girlfriend.
Judge William Erlbaum ruled in favor of an order of protection that will keep the couple apart, Monseratte and girlfriend Karla Giraldo, as prosecutors try to prove the former Queens councilman broke a drinking glass and stabbed Giraldo in the face during a December argument.
Monserrate plead not guilty and continues to insist the incident was an accident. According to the state senator, he tripped and fell as he was trying to bring her a glass of water.
"I've always said I was innocent and what happened was an accident," Monserrate asserted before cameras on the steps of the Queens Criminal Courthouse after the arraignment.
"I want to make it clear for the record, what occurred on December 19 was an accident. Karla has said it was an accident, and I have always said it was an accident," he added.
Giraldo now maintains that is in fact exactly what happened. But a grand jury indicted Monserrate on Monday based on statements Giraldo made to hospital staff shortly after the slashing.
She told them what happened was indeed no accident and that she was assaulted.
But the real turning point for the indictment and Friday's order of protection hinged on the playback of surveillance video from Monserrate's apartment building. It was played for the judge and it shows the couple arguing, then a couple of hours later Giraldo is seen holding a towel over her face where she was stabbed.
When she tried to walk away and knock on a neighbor's door, Monserrate, according to prosecutors, is seen violently grabbing and dragging Giraldo away toward the parking lot, where they got in the car and went to the hospital.
Monserrate claims the criminal charges are politically motivated. He has clashed with the Queens DA's office in the past, but if convicted he faces up to 7 years in state prison.
CBS 2 HD has heard that some of Monserrate's colleagues in the State Senate may be coming to his support. A group of lawmakers has been talking about setting up a fund to raise money for Monserrate's expenses.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
World's Most Useless Facts
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments