Judge Weighs Brad Lander Misdemeanor Charge After 1-Day Trial Over 20-Minute Elevator Protest
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 10
Judge Weighs Brad Lander Misdemeanor Charge After 1-Day Trial Over 20-Minute Elevator Protest
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 10
Summary
A Manhattan magistrate judge said he will rule Thursday morning after hearing Brad Lander’s one-day bench trial on a misdemeanor obstruction charge tied to his Sept. 18 arrest.
Lander testified he did not illegally block an elevator at 26 Federal Plaza, saying no one told him to move before he was arrested while chanting with other elected officials.
Prosecutors argued he obstructed access by sitting in front of an elevator whose doors never opened for 20 to 25 minutes; they said they would not seek jail time if he is convicted.
The case lands in the middle of Lander’s congressional bid against Rep. Dan Goldman in a liberal district spanning lower Manhattan and parts of brownstone Brooklyn.
Lander was among 11 lawmakers arrested after trying to inspect immigration holding rooms, and he later rejected a deal that would have erased the charge after six months.