SDNY COURTHOUSE,
March 15 – When Larry Ray was
arraigned on charges of sexual
exploitation, prostitution,
forced labor and money
laundering on February 12,
2020 he was wearing prison
blues and still had a Federal
Defender, but no financial
affidavit to have FD
appointed. Twitter theadette;
More on Patreon here.
On March
9, 2022, the jury for Larry
Ray was picked, by his five
Federal Defenders and three
prosecutors, on the robing
room of Judge Lewis J. Liman.
Inner City Press live tweeted,
thread here
(podcast here)
On March 10 Inner
City Press live
tweeted the
opening
statements, here
(podcast here)
Then the first
substantive witness, live
tweeted here.
On Day 2 of the
trial, March 11, Santos
Rosario continued on direct
examination, Inner City Press
live tweeted it here
(morning vlog here)
On Day 3 of the
trial, March 14, Santo Rosario
finished his direct and the
cross began. Inner City Press
live-tweeted here
(morning vlog here)
Day 4 of the
trial started late - Larry Ray
had a seizure - but then got
into troubling videos and a
question. Inner City Press
live tweeted here
(morning vlog here)
OK - Larry Ray
trial Day 4 starting, nearly 2
hours late. Federal Defender
says Ray "suffered a seizure
this morning" but will now go
forward.
After Federal
Defenders ask to keep the jury
from knowing about the
seizure, at least for now, it
starts:
Federal Defender:
So Doctor Hughes, you are
being paid by the government?
Dawn Hughes: Yes. FD: You do
this a lot? Hughes: It's half
of what I do. FD: Usually, an
abuser would not ask his/her
victim to tell their family or
others about the relationship,
right?
Hughes: I
suppose. But the data shows,
for example, that if 100 women
are rapes, only 25 go to the
police. FD: I'm talking about
wider "help seeking."
Federal
Defender: Let's talk about
grooming... Adolescents are
susceptible, because their
brain development is not
complete, right? Hughes: The
younger, the more vulnerable.
But it can occur with young
adults or even adults.
Federal Defender:
But generally adult are less
susceptible, wasn't that your
testimony? Hughes: I'm not
sure that was my testimony.
FD: But it's it normal to try
to be charming at the
beginning of a relationship?
Hughes: I'm skeptical, given
my work. But yes.
Federal
Defender: It's normal for
adults to talk about sex, yes?
Dr Hughes: It depends on the
context. It wouldn't be
appropriate for you to talk to
me about sex. FD: Are you
familiar with the podcasts
Call Her Daddy, or Death Sex
& Money on WNYC?
Hughes: I am not
Next witness
works at US Attorney's Office,
putting into evidence more
emails, now by Santos Rosario
[never sent?] AUSA: What does
Santos Rosario write? Witness:
I thought I should just buy
pills at Duane Reade b/t 93
& 94 St on 3d Ave. But I
should face justice
SDNY witness
(con't reading from Santos
Rosario text) "after I left
the apartment I went to the
Duane Reade but I thought you
had me followed by the guy in
the construction vest, at 4
am. So I bought cigarettes,
and asked my mom to pay you
back for the tongs"
AUSA: Let's turn
back to the first page of this
email. Who forwarded it? SDNY
witness: From Santos Rosario
to Larry Ray, who forwarded it
to Isabella Pollok. [Then an
email by Talia about her Gucci
bag, and by Felicia Rosario
"confessing" to stealing
$160,000]
Next email
read into the record is by
Talia, writing: I
remember when nobody thought
Kerik would go to jail, when
he was with Rudy Giuliani. But
Kerik had to step down from
the Homeland Security position
Bush created for him. We did
that.
Things have taken
another dark(er) turn in the
Larry Ray trial, with the
prosecution showing the jury a
video of Larry Ray throwing a
woman on the floor and pinning
her down.
Now a video of
Larry Ray grilling a crying
young woman, Claudia
[Drury]"Why do you want to
damage my website? Say hello
to all your Facebook friends,
Claudia. What do you want to
tell them?"
Claudia:
"Nothing." In the video, shown
to jury in US v. Ray Larry
Ray: What do feel bad about,
about your father? Claudia:
That I didn't have a
relationship with him like you
have with Talia. But I didn't.
Larry Ray: So you're jealous.
Claudia (crying):
No!
Now going
into evidence: an email from
Talia Ray to Larry Ray,
telling him to turn up the
volume setting to film these
videos.
[Inner City Press
question: Why hasn't Talia Ray
been indicted, like Isabella
Pollok now awaiting severed
trial?]
Back on
April 28, 2021, there was a
suppression hearing about his
arrest and questioning. Inner
City Press live tweeted it here
and below.
On December
22 Ray's Federal Defenders
requested a jury questionnaire
citing adverse publicity "not
only in traditional media
outlets." But the next
sections contains redactions,
after the words "Community
Bookstore live, and apparently
of a URL, because it contains
a name. But how then is it
confidential?
On
February 4, the Federal
Defenders wrote to Judge Lewis
J. Liman that "the attorney
client relationship between
Mr. Ray and his defense team
has irreparably broken down...
Mr. Ray requests that the
Court appoint new counsel."
This was heard on February 10,
without the previously
available call-in line (unlike
a February 4 Coinbase oral
argument on which the line was
opened).
On March 7 in
Courtroom 24B, Judge Liman
informed the parties that he
will not tell the jurors about
sexual grooming, finding it
incorporated in sexual
manipulation.
Ray's
lawyers said they'd like the
jurors unmasked, so their
faces can be seen. They cited
NYC Mayor Eric Adams on March
7 eliminating masking
requirments except on the
subway. Judge Liman said his
previous ruling requiring
masks stands.
On March 8, a
heading for March 9 at 4:30 pm
was set: "Minute Entry for
proceedings held before Judge
Lewis J. Liman: Motion Hearing
as to Lawrence Ray held on
3/7/2022. Defendant (1),
Lawrence Ray (in custody)
present with Federal Defenders
Marne Lenox, Allegra
Glashausser, Neil Kelly, and
Peggy Cross-Goldenberg. AUSAs
Danielle Sassoon, Mollie
Bracewell, and Lindsey Keenan
present. Sawyer Dean present
on behalf of Claudia Drury.
Court reporter present. The
motion for Jane Doe 1 to
testify under a pseudonym is
denied as moot. Motion to
exclude Frost testimony is
denied. Ruling on 404B is
reserved by the Court. The
Court sealed the Courtroom to
hear from parties regarding
the Rule 412 Motion regarding
Claudia Drury. A Rule 412
Motion Hearing regarding
Felicia Rosario and Claudia
Drury is scheduled for
Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at
4:30PM in Courtroom 15C."
There was
this, from Ray's Federal
Defenders: "We write in
response to the governments
letter of February 24, 2022
seeking a Court order
permitting five prosecution
witnesses to testify using
only their first names at Mr.
Rays upcoming trial. This
request should be denied both
because it is moot and because
the government cannot carry
its burden to justify such an
imposition on Mr. Rays (and
the public's) right to a
public and open trial."
While
Inner City Press always likes
counsel asserting the public's
right to access, it is ironic
because the Federal Defenders
are arguing
to SDNY Judge John P. Cronan,
and now the 2d Circuit, that
the financial affidavit of
"Dirty Doc" Cruciani should be
sealed, despite Inner City
Press' requests as in Avenatti
and Correia, here.
On March 3, the
schedule: "Jury Selection will
begin on Tuesday, March 8,
2022. The Jury Trial will be
held in Courtroom 24B, with an
overflow room to be set up in
Courtroom 15C. The Court will
be in session Monday to
Thursday from 9:30AM to 4:00PM
and Fridays from 9:00AM to
1:00PM. A Rule 412 Motion
Hearing is scheduled for
Monday, March 7, 2022 at
2:00PM in Courtroom 15C before
Judge Lewis J. Liman."
Now...
headphones? On March 4, this:
"ORDER as to Lawrence Ray. The
Court has received an email
from a paralegal for the
United States Attorneys Office
inquiring about the
availability of headsets for
the jurors to listen to
sensitive audio. The Court
will inquire into the
logistics regarding making
such headsets available. At
the same time, the Court
invites the views of the
parties, to be provided to the
Court by Sunday, March 6,
2022, at 5:00 p.m., regarding
the legal principles it should
apply in the event that there
is a request to publish
materials to the jurors and
the parties but outside of the
hearing or viewing of members
of the public." Watch this
site.
On February 9,
the US Attorney's Office wrote
in to "request that the Court
conduct a thorough inquiry
into the nature of the alleged
breakdown... Even if the Court
determines that the motion is
not a delay tactic, it may
nonetheless be appropriately
denied." Judge Liman ordered,
" Ray has not asked for the
trial to be adjourned.
However, it is possible that
if his current counsel is
permitted to withdraw and new
counsel were appointed, the
inevitable result would be for
trial to be delayed, perhaps
for a lengthy period of time.
The law permits the Court to
consider issues such as the
Speedy Trial Act and calendar
management in reviewing an
application for the withdrawal
of counsel and the appointment
of new counsel. In addition,
under the Crime Victims'
Rights Act, a crime victim has
the "right to proceedings free
from unreasonable delay." 18
U.S.C. s 3771(a)(7). Certain
individuals have been
identified as alleged victims
in this case. Accordingly, it
is hereby ORDERED that any
alleged victim who wishes to
be heard on the issue of
potentially delaying the trial
of this matter may be heard
either by letter submitted on
ECF on or before 1:00 p.m. on
February 10, 2022, or by
appearing in person at the
hearing." Watch this site.
On January
24 for an in-person conference
at 2 pm, Judge Liman issued
the following order: "ORDER as
to Lawrence Ray: The Court has
been informed by the United
States Marshals that Mr. Ray
is refusing to come to Court
for the previously scheduled
hearing today. The hearing has
long been on the calendar, and
defense counsel has not
submitted a request to excuse
Mr. Rays presence.
Accordingly, the Court has
informed the United States
Marshals to deliver Mr. Ray to
the courthouse. If necessary,
the Court will sign an order
authorizing the Marshals to
use force to compel his
attendance. A copy of this
Order will be emailed to
counsel for Mr. Ray and for
the government. SO ORDERED.
(Signed by Judge Lewis J.
Liman on 1/24/2022)."
Later,
shortly before the scheduled
hearing: "ORDER as to Lawrence
Ray: The Court has received
correspondence from the
Government and defendant's
counsel stating that they, and
Mr. Ray, are prepared to
proceed with today's oral
argument in-person in
Courtroom 15C. The Court
rescinds its previous order
setting this as a remote
hearing and restores it back
to an in-person hearing. All
counsel and Mr. Ray are
expected to appear in-person."
Watch this site.
Back on January
6, 2022 Judge Liman held
another conference; Inner City
Press live tweeted here.
On January
19, Judge Liman held a Daubert
hearing which Inner City Press
live tweeted here
hearing on
Federal Defenders-proposed
expert Joseph Pierre, who's
being paid $500/hr for 20 hrs,
so far.
Doctor Pierre
describes his paid testimony
for "sovereign citizens,"
acknowledged he's not a
forensic psychiatrist and
never interviewed Ray in
person (due to COVID
restrictions). Will Judge
Liman let him testify?
AUSA Sassoon: You
called Mr. Ray's beliefs
conspiracy theories. That's
not a term in the DSM, right?
Dr. Pierre: Right.
AUSA Sassoon:
Define delusion-like beliefs.
Dr. Pierre: There's not a
study. But there's agreement
on what it is. [You know it
when you see it?]
Dr. Pierre:
There's no study saying
diagnosis of a sore throat
does not involve asking the
patient if he or she has a
sore throat?
AUSA Sassoon:
Wait --
Judge: Let Doctor
Pierre talk. [Pause] Or, let
me ask. What's the difference
between a delusion and an
error?
AUSA: Can a
person have delusion-like
belief and follow the law? Dr.
Pierre: Yes. AUSA: They don't
explain violent behavior,
right? Federal Defender:
Objection. Judge: Sustained.
AUSA: So
Larry Ray told you he believed
he had been poisoned, at the
direction of Bernie Kerik? Dr.
Pierre: Correct. AUSA: And
that he put a lock on his
fridge in New Jersey, right?
Dr. Pierre: Yes, I believe it
was in New Jersey.
AUSA: Did
it strike you as strange that
Larry Ray continued to live
with people he thought were
poisoning him? Federal
Defender: Objection!
Judge: Overruled.
Dr. Pierre: I don't like to
use the word strange. And
we're back: US v. Larry Ray
Daubert hearing on whether to
allow Dr. Pierre is back on.
During a break,
Federal Defenders have been
required to provide US
Attorney's Office with
unredacted copy of Dr.
Pierre's notes. AUSA: It was
risky? Dr. Pierre: Define
that.
AUSA: And
you do not know if, when these
emails were written, the
writer had a knife to his
genitals? Dr. Pierre: I do
not... Judge: Thank you,
you are excused.
Dr. Pierre:
Thanks for not making me fly
out there. Arraignment on
superseding indictment to
follow.
Update and
conclusion (for this case, for
today) Arraignment will not
take place - Larry Ray has not
received a copy of the
superseding indictment. Judge
Liman adjourns the Daubert
hearing.
Watch this
site.
Back on September
27, Isabella Pollak moved for
a continuance (delay) or for
severance, noting the third
team of lawyers and this
volume of discovery: 516,169
images, 1,462 documents, 1043
spreadsheets, 320 audio files,
256 video files and 277
internet files.
On October 8, the
US Attorney's Office wrote to
Judge Liman that "the
Government objects to
adjourning the joint trial for
the lengthy period of time
requested by Pollok [but] does
not object to severing
Pollok's trial from Ray's,
keeping the trial of Ray
scheduled for February 2022
and scheduling Pollok's trial
for a later date."
But Ray opposes
severing Pollok's case. On
October 15 Pollok's Hastings
on Hudson-based lawyer
insisted on severance: "As
Judge Learned Hand succinctly
stated, '[n]o accused person
has any recognizable legal
interest in being tried with
another, accused with him.' US
v. Bronson, 145 F.2d 939, 943
(2d Cir. 1944 (L. Hand, J.)"
On October 18
Pollok's counsel wrote to
Judge Liman asking to modify
her conditions of release, so
she can work overtime at
Amazon, which no longer with
permit any electronic devices
(like GPS bracelets) on the
warehouse floor. The US
consents to this change.
And on October
19, Judge Liman granted the
requests: "MEMO ENDORSEMENT
granting [235] LETTER MOTION
filed by Isabella Pollok (2),
addressed to Judge Lewis J.
Liman from Attorney Jill R.
Shellow dated 10/18/2021 re:
Request to modify conditions
of pretrial release. I am
writing to request
respectfully two modifications
to Isabella Pollok's
conditions of pretrial
release: (1) Ms. Pollok has a
curfew from 9PM until 5AM. We
respectfully request that the
curfew condition be removed.
(2) Ms. Pollok wears a GPS
ankle bracelet. Accordingly,
we respectfully request that
the GPS bracelet condition be
removed. ENDORSEMENT: REQUEST
GRANTED. Bail modifications
approved. SO ORDERED. (Signed
by Judge Lewis J. Liman on
10/19/2021)."
But what about
Amazon barring any worker with
a GPS bracelet, under
pre-trial release (that is,
presumed innocent) from
working its warehouses?
On October 20,
Judge Liman granted severance:
"ORDER as to Lawrence Ray,
Isabella Pollok. It is hereby
ORDERED that the proposed
schedule appearing at Dkt. No.
219, setting forth the
deadlines related to expert
witnesses in the case United
States v. Ray,
20-cr-110-LJL-1, is APPROVED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that,
for the reasons stated by the
Court on the record at the
October 19, 2021, Status
Conference, the motion of
Isabella Pollok for a
continuance is GRANTED and the
trials of Lawrence Ray and
Isabella Pollok are severed,
with Isabella Pollok's trial
to begin on July 18, 2022."
The case is US v.
Ray, 20-cr-110 (Liman).
***
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