Good morning & welcome day 5 of Jazmine Headley’s nightmare. Just trying to renew her childcare benefits, waits 4 hours, on ground bc no seats, security calls 911, police attack her, rip her 1 y/o from her, arrest *her* for child endangerment, she’s still jailed. Updates:
If you’re not sure about what I’m talking about: read my thread de yesterday starting with an early morning presser with my office & the Brooklyn Borough President.
First, for all those who have been asking how you can help, thank you. We have gotten sign off from Ms. Headley & her family to set up an official GoFundMe account. Will send out details shortly. Working on it.
Second, we’re working diligently to get her released. She’s not held on bail on her arrest. She’s *remanded* bc of an old NJ warrant on a minor matter for NJ to pick her up. While remand is the default & norm, the DAs office can consent & and a judge can order release.
For those interested, the authority for release pursuant to bail including an “unsecured bond” (promise to pay if you don’t show) is in NY Criminal Procedure Law Section 570.38. codes.findlaw.com/ny/criminal-pr…
Read fire from NYT: “The Mayor’s handling of the incident shows how far he has strayed from his righteous roots as a candidate promising to hold the police accountable and change the way they interact with minority residents like Ms. Headley, who is black.”nyti.ms/2GcN4VO?smid=n…
Just a note so everyone is clear: We at @BklynDefender are representing her on her criminal matters & family defense/ACS matters, as well. For free like all clients we represent. Tragedies like this reinforce our mission of providing specialized & comprehensive representation.
Adding immediate release on her NJ matter from Rikers to this list of immediate demands:
**OFFICIAL GOFUNDME FOR JAZMINE HEADLEY IS LIVE** -- We've heard from her this morning on Rikers and she is staying strong. Funds for Jazmine will help her pay for child care, allowing her to get back to the job that is waiting for her."gofundme.com/q9am2s-help-ja…
Already at 1/5 our goal. Over $2000. Keep this going! 
Almost at 1/2 our goal in 1 HOUR! Keep this going!
***UPDATE: Brooklyn DA has just dismissed all Brooklyn charges arising out of Jazmine Headley’s arrest. That also means that the full order of protection to stay away from that they requested has been lifted.***
She’s still incarcerated though bc of this ridiculous warrant in NJ. So, right now, our attorneys are filing an emergency writ to the court demanding her release. Our paralegal just walked out the door with four copies of the motion in hand. Argument will be heard in afternoon.
Ms. Headley called our ED this morning from Rikers. She is hanging in there. But terrified. Didn't have any idea of the attention this case is getting. But is glad that her story may help prevent these things from happening to someone else.
2 Hours and we're almost to the goal -- $8,195 out of $10k: gofundme.com/q9am2s-help-ja…
NEWS: Executive Director of @BklynDefender, Lisa Schreibersdorf will be arguing for Jazmine Headley's release on our emergency application today at approximately 2/230 at 320 Jay Street. 15th Floor. Courtroom YP1. Before Judge Walker.
Lisa will be coming directly from the rally happening right now with Attorney General Elect @TishJames
Walking now to Brooklyn Supreme Court for the hearing on release with our team. Will be sending love updates as best I can.
Here now.
Timing pushed back to 3pm. Judge completing another hearing over next hour.
What will we be arguing: That as Supreme Court Judge, he has authority to and should release or set bail in a form she could afford, despite a request for extradition to NJ. We're hopeful that the Brooklyn DA will join in our application. NJ, however, could make all of this moot:
NJ could dismiss the minor low-level charges against her in NJ. They could cancel their request to extradite her. They could have done all of this at the point she was first brought before the NY judge who remanded her 5 days ago.
Let's say that the Judge grants our application. What next? Ms. Headley is not in court. Because we filed this emergency application, we had to waive her "production" from Rikers Island. So if Judge orders her release, DOC will be sent the message & release her from Rikers. When?
From my experience will be at least few hours. Seen it take over 12. Once released, whenever released, clients are typically just given a metrocard & dropped off at bus stop. Often without any warm clothes. Wearing "patakis" - the crappy velcro shoes given to you on Rikers.
While we're waiting, want to share two things: (1) We're up to $11,834 on GoFundMe for Ms. Headley. 389 people have given in just 3 hours. Extraordinary. gofundme.com/q9am2s-help-ja…
(2) Here's our office's (@BklynDefender) statement on the Brooklyn DA's decision to dismiss all charges against her:
In Courtroom now. Filled with press (thank you for paying attention). Our attorneys pow-wowing. Lisa, our ED, just walked in. We're about to get started.
Judging by demeanor of prosecutor who will be standing up arguing, I believe he’ll join in our application for the hold to be lifted. It’ll come down to Judge. Argument about to start.
Judge Walker - the judge hearing the case - is working "Miscellaneous Motions" this week and likely next. He ordinarily presides over the Youth Part. 14-17 year olds. He'll also be handling miscellaneous matters (like this one). He's very smart. Very fair.
Argument about to start. Less than 5 minutes.
Judge just called the parties to "step up" on the writ. They'll be introducing Judge to issue off-record first. Lisa our ED and a higher up from DA's office.
Exchanging pleasantries. DA speaking first. Seems to be consenting to some bail being set to facilitate her release. Just overhearing.
Appears parties are trying to come up with a solution that facilitate her release no matter what. Judge taking it all in.
No about to go on record.
*Now* on record: Our ED up first. She's been a practicing public defender for over 30 years.
Actually DA first. NJ requested remand till they pick her. DA office reviewed case. Called by members of community. Spoken with @BklynDefender. If she's being released, we would be okay with allowing her out with assurances that she will appear in NJ tomorrow.
Lisa: Requests release on her own recognizance. Even though DA is consenting to $1500 bail that we know could be paid. Would make a big difference in timing. She should be released.
Judge: "Calls it a "horrific scene" that was broadcast all over the United States. That in out of itself gives the court pause when thinking about setting bail. Then again, she has extradition warrant. ORDER: RELEASED WITHOUT ANY BAIL."
"What she has been through. The amount of time she has been in. This is the right thing to do. She is released forthwith."
RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED. RELEASED.
What now? Ms. Headley was not brought to court bc Rikers too far away & we needed to ensure we got this application filed asap. So we have one of our jail services coordinators w/ her at Rikers Island, to help facilitate release process, get her home, & provide immediate counsel
She'll be home tonight.
Thank you media for paying attention.
Updates:
Our social worker is w/ her on Rikers.
Another social worker is with her mom & child.
Child is on way to hospital again. He’ll be okay but lingering bruising.
She needs to be in Mercer County, NJ tomorrow morning.
We’re calling on Mercer DA to dismiss immediately.
Our social worker is w/ her on Rikers.
Another social worker is with her mom & child.
Child is on way to hospital again. He’ll be okay but lingering bruising.
She needs to be in Mercer County, NJ tomorrow morning.
We’re calling on Mercer DA to dismiss immediately.
The squad (with @TishJames).
Up to $15,360. 533 people. 5 hours. Keep this going! Thanks everyone. gofundme.com/q9am2s-help-ja…
Office just got off the phone with her. Just found out she's getting released. She's over the moon happy. So grateful for our representation. And for every one's support. She can't believe how much attention there is. But she feels blessed.
Update: She’s still incarcerated. Still waiting for her to be released. 2.5 hours after she was ordered released.
Still waiting. 3.5 hours she was ordered released.
Nearing 4.5 hours. The Rikers website lists her as released. Still no contact with our team.
NEWS: She’s released!!! With our team. Thank you to @CrimJusticeNYC for helping to facilitate her release and working diligently to connect her with us. It takes a village. We ask that everyone respect her and her family’s privacy.
The City made special accommodations to help facilitate her release directly to our representative. And expedited the release order to get her out.
She’s heading home. Finally.
Now our focus turns to the Mercer County DA in NJ. Her case is in tomorrow. We’re calling for him to dismiss the charges. They’re minor, 2 years old, & she already served 6 days in jail bc of them. Let Jazmine Headley start healing & move on!
Everyone: Shes home. Inside. With her family. For the first time since the horrific incident. She spoke briefly. Thanked everyone for their support.
This brave woman. #JusticeForJazmineHeadley
Her short, powerful, beautiful statement. Ends with “I just need to see my boy.”
Just thinking about how different things would have been without that video. Still:
+Held on Rikers till at least Thursday.
+Charged with child endangerment & resisting.
+Ordered to stay away from her baby.
+Ongoing Brooklyn criminal case, likely requiring parenting classes.
+Held on Rikers till at least Thursday.
+Charged with child endangerment & resisting.
+Ordered to stay away from her baby.
+Ongoing Brooklyn criminal case, likely requiring parenting classes.
Family photos. Reunited:
