May 5, 2008 8:00 am US/Eastern
Brooklyn Judge Receives More Death Threats
City Council Demands Investigation, Police Protection
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Kings County Supreme Court Judge Diana Johnson has received death threats that target her and her family.
CBS
A Brooklyn judge is worried about her life and the safety of her family after receiving two different threats.
Kings County Supreme Court Judge Diana Johnson said the support of friends and family has helped her stay strong after receiving a death threat that not only targeted her but also her son, who's an attorney.
"It's disheartening that folks go to lengths to do this when all you're doing is your job," Johnson said.
A death threat put together from letters cut out of a newspaper was mailed to her chambers at the Brooklyn surrogate court. One of the words used was 'Kill.'
"My colleagues and I on the bench have a difficult job," Johnson told CBS 2. "We do our job under difficult circumstances - one thing we won't accept is intimidation. We won't be cowed."
In February, Johnson, Brooklyn's first elected African-American surrogate judge found a hateful message on an elevator by her chambers. On Sunday, several City Council members joined her at her church to demand an investigation by the District Attorneys office, and to provide her with police protection.
"We would like an immediate detail assigned to the judge through the Intel unit of the NYPD," said Council Member Letitia James.
"To whoever wrote that graffiti, wrote that letter, we will make sure the full force of the NYPD is brought upon you and you're apprehended," added Council Speaker Christine Quinn.
Johnson, who will return to work Monday, handles wills and adoption cases. She said she has no idea who could be targeting her. NYPD officials say they're working with the court but won't release any security arrangements.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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