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"Heartbroken" Reaction To Verdict As "Rape Cops" Don Polo Shirts
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 27, 2011
Modified Sep 9, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 27, 2011
Modified Sep 9, 2011
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Much of the city is still reeling after yesterday's acquittal of "Rape Cops" Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata. And for good reason: the officers falsified a 911 call, left and entered the victim's apartment four times; Moreno testified that he had sung Bon Jovi for the victim, spooned with her on her bed, and even admitted to her in person that he had used a condom and that he wanted to be her boyfriend. An article in the Times today interviews the bar owner whose surveillance camera caught the officers entering and leaving the victim's apartment, the crucial piece of evidence that enabled prosecutors to try the cops, and she had but one comment about her state of mind after the verdict: "Heartbroken, and in disbelief."
We're also in the odd position of agreeing with The Post's Andrea Peyser, whose piece excoriates the "helpful, smiling—purely evil—cop in a crisp uniform…It's open season on dames...The damage is great. The fabric of trust that existed between women and the police has been shredded to bits. Who will call a cop now?" In a press release, the National Organization for Women-NYC want the victim to know that "her story gives NOW-NYC and rape survivors more resolve than ever to continue our fight to make sure that rape is taken seriously. We won't let this case get swept under the rug. However, some East Village women say they don't think they can trust cops.
Today's Daily News reports that the two fired cops swung by the courthouse today to "pick up paperwork," dressed in casual wear and sunglasses. Mata told one reporter that "it's our day off," before waving the cameras away. Yes, and you can seem them in their polo shirts and acquitted glory in this photo—is this how former cops look after getting their pensions cancelled?
It's tempting to see the upcoming civil trial—in which the victim is suing the city for $57 million—as a "do over" for a New York jury because the burden of proof is much lower. But, according to the News, "the acquittal will also give city lawyers—who defend the NYPD in civil cases—an upper hand in likely settlement talks." But there's no need to wait for the civil trial to vent any residual emotion you may have towards the verdict. Tonight's protest is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in front of the Manhattan Criminal Court building at 100 Centre Street.
Update (9/9/11): Gothamist has published a long-form feature about the Rape Cop case, written by one of the jurors. It takes you behind the scenes during their deliberations, and explains how they came to their controversial verdict. Buy it today as a PDF or on Kindle.
Tagged
Acquittals
andrea peyser
crime
franklin mata
Justice
kenneth moreno
NOW-NYC
nypd
rape
rape cops
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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