DAYTRIPPING HARTFORD STYLE

Tomorrow might be a good day for a trip to Hartford and see the best of what Hartford City government has to offer.

Might I suggest a nice breakfast at Ashlee's at 221 Main Street, then head up Buckingham Street and find a parking spot in the shadows of the Connecticut State Capitol and the statue of Lafayette. Procure a parking spot using one of the Hartford Parking Authority's high-tech kiosks. Then walk one block south to 101 Lafayette Street, Superior Court, GA14. Spend a couple hours watching jury selection in the corruption trial of Hartford's Mayor, the honorable Eddie A. Perez.

A couple of helpful jury selection watching tips. Be sure to feed the meters, the maximum time is two hours and the parking controllers can sense that to the second it seems. Expired vehicles are promptly ticketed. When entering the courthouse, please leave all weapons and dangerous instruments in your vehicle.

In addition, as Helen Ubinas learned the hard way ( I think she is out of lock-up now) texting and twittering (or is it tweeting) is not allowed and you will be dealt with appropriately by the Judicial Marshalls. Please be sure to put your cellphones on vibrate.

Then maybe back down to Main Street during the lunchtime recess. Maybe try the Hook and Ladder Restaurant right next to Ashlee's, where your morning began.

If you have time, be sure to visit Hartford City Hall on your day trip of corruption and incompetence. Be sure to stop by the second floor, the home to the Perez "leadership team". Out of respect though for people that are actually trying to work in City Hall, please keep your laughter to a minimum when you see the word "honorable" on the door to the Office of the Mayor.

By this time, it should be getting close to 2:00PM so head back up to the Lafayette Statue and procure another kiosk funded parking space. This time head north to 18-20 Trinity Street, home of the Freedom of Information Commission. The entrance is near the back side of the Bushnell Theater by the loading dock.

Shortly after 2:00PM Hartford's Corporation Counsel and Perez confidant John Rose will be making a command performance. Not the command type for the Queen of England, but he is being commanded to be there by the FOI Commission. John Rose will be attempting to explain why he shouldn't be fined the largest possible fine passed down by the FOI Commission.

And then if you want to watch something good happening, in all seriousness, stop by City Hall for the 5:00PM swearing in of Hartford's new Fire Chief Ed Casares. Hopefully Chief Casares will bring some integrity back to the Chief's Office, unlike his predecessor, but I'll keep you in suspense on those details about Chief Teale until another day. You might want to get your eyes checked to be able to read that posting clearly :) Tell the eye doctor Charlie Bribe sent you.

PEREZ TRIAL: STATE MOVES TO REMOVE JUROR #2, THE BONDSMAN

In a motion filed today in court with Judge Dewey, Assistant States Attorney Chris Alexy has asked her to reconsider her acceptance of juror # 2, the bondsman.

During yesterdays jury selection, a Hispanic male was interviewed by both sides and answered numerous questions. Among those questions regarding his occupation, he replied that one of his jobs was working as a bondsman in the Hartford and New Britain courts.

In order for a juror to be selected, both sides need to agree. They do have a limited number of challenges and can ask for a juror to be "excused".

In yesterdays selection, the state asked for the "bondsman" juror to be excused. Perez, through his attorney, Hubert Santos, objected. Santos used a "Batson" challenge to question the State's vote to excuse the juror.

A Batson challenge is the result of a court case that eventually was decided by the US Supreme Court. In Batson v Kentucky, the case essentially was the result of a claim of purposeful discrimination on the part of the prosecutors in a case to exclude potential jurors based on race.

As I sat in the courtroom yesterday, I thought that the bail bond issue would be a deal breaker for the defense. Furthermore, he stated that his father and uncle were retired police officers. I was surprised when they "accepted" him.

When the state voted to "excuse" him I was also surprised, but their arguments about the bondsman issue seemed valid, and I never heard them mention race. The State's challenge, as noted in their motion, appeared to be race neutral.

On the other hand, Santos's questions to two white females this afternoon seemed much different than questions he was asking to other potential jurors. It is very interesting to watch the so called "justice system" grinding along. Boring, but interesting.

The entire motion is below for your reading pleasure.

Perez Batson Challenge

WFSB WEIGHS IN ON PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX COLLAPSE

WFSB, Channel 3's Hartford Bureau Chief Len Besthoff covered the impending demolition today. Here is his report and some more information about the "preservation" of Hartford's history

click here for Len's report

WHO ARE EDDIE'S VICTIMS? (oh yeah, allegedly)

A few months ago I raised an issue that I knew would never go anywhere, but still, I think, a valid issue.

Who are the victim's of Eddie Perez and Veronica Airey-Wilson's crimes ? (oh yeah, allegedly)

Since the crimes involved public funds generated through tax revenue and other means such as Federal dollars entrusted to Hartford, it would seem clear that the taxpayers of Hartford are the apparent victims. It's not Eddie's money or Veronica's money or Abe's money. It was our money as the people of Hartford.

We are Perez's victims. (oh yeah, allegedly)

Now the big issue question. By law, no victim of a crime can be allowed to sit on the jury judging that same crime. Should that prevent Hartford residents from serving on that jury, if they are, in fact, the victims of that crime?

Noted Hartford defense attorney Michael Georgetti apparently feels the same way. He was quoted in today's Hartford Courant,"Frankly, I think you could argue that the victim in this case is the people of the city of Hartford. If I were a Hartford taxpayer, I don't think I could sit fairly on this jury," said Georgetti.

Hubie, quick, file the motions.

HAS EDDIE HIRED AN IMAGE CONSULTANT?

Just a thought, but after watching Eddie Perez in court today I kept thinking something was different.

He looked tired, but then again who wouldn't. I'm sure he's having many sleepless nights trying to figure out what he is going to do. Many nights wondering how it will all turn out. Many nights wondering should he roll the dice and go to trial and continue to play the race card and hope for the best or should he cut the deal with the State.

Probably many thoughts about how close his "close" friends really are. How much pressure would it take for a "close" friend to cut a deal and actually co-operate with the State's Attorney. A lot of questions were asked of potential jurors today about a "co-operating witness" and how jurors would weigh their testimony.

No names were mentioned, but it seems pretty clear that someone has rolled and is now a co-operating witness for the State.

But back to Eddie. After looking at a few news stories and "googleing" Perez stories, it was no longer a "gray" area, it became clear to me. Eddie Perez is dyeing his hair. No more gray hair like the picture below taken April 6th, but today Eddie is once again jet black.




Not really sure, but I would think a jury would trust gray haired Eddie more than jet-black Eddie. I guess that is why Hubie Santos gets the big bucks though.

What's next, the mustache again?

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE FOR EDDIE PEREZ...AND HARTFORD

Hartford's Mayor Eddie A. Perez entered court today for the start of the jury selection phase of his trial facing 5 counts related to corruption. He left court today facing additional charges adding up to 8 counts related to corruption, including larceny, extortion , bribery and now coercion. The "Substitute Information" documents submitted by the State's Attorney's office are below.

Perez Substitute Information 4-12-10

I'll post more tonight after the council meeting