| Child Sex
Trafficking Trial Has Jurors Asking If Can
Rely on Passport That Camila Was 16
By Matthew
Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell
Book
BBC -
Honduras
- CIA
Trial Book - NY
Mag
SDNY COURTHOUSE,
July 29 – Martin Conception is
on trial for child sex
trafficking.
On July
27, 2022 U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of
New York Judge J. Paul Oetken
was presiding over the trial.
Inner City Press went and
covered it.
On the
stand was a Ms. Rodriguez, who
testified she was 16 years old
when she was prostituted out
by a trio including Concepcion
a/k/a Tito.
Judge Oekten
admonished some of those in
the courtroom gallery for
gesticulating during the
testimony and said if it
continued, they would be
removed.
The events
described took place in The
Bronx around 184th Street and
Creston Avenue, and Valentine
Avenue. Tito got shot, but did
not go to the hospital, at
least not immediately.
Concepcion's defense counsel
repeatedly asked Rodriguez
about her previous
prostitution, and how many
months she had been missing.
A long sidebar in
the robing room ensued.
On July 28,
things had already reached the
charging conference. Inner
City Press live tweeted it, here:
now the jury
charge conference. In the same
40 Foley Square
#GhislaineMaxwell was
convicted in, for this graphic
trafficking trial there are
only 7 people in the gallery:
4 supporters of defendant, 2
Court Security Officers
watching over them, and Inner
City Press. Judge cites strict
liability
Judge: Jury
must find if defendant
rectuited for or benefited
from trafficking
Defendant, in a
re-used prison suit though
jury's not here for charging
conference, is reading the
draft charge over his
appointed lawyer's shoulder.
Charge is agreed.
On July 29,
the closing arguments,
including this rebuttal
summation, here:
AUSA David Robles
says all defense did was blame
the victim, Camila. Thread
below AUSA: Bigga texted the
defendant and told him to lie
low after the FBI raid on his
apartment. He put Camila's
photos in an ad online, then
was in the apartment with a
gun.
AUSA: He was a
pimp. Rico, the cooperator,
shuts the door. Yes he
committed terrible crimes
agsinst Camila. He gets 20
years if he lies.
AUSA: Camila was
16. You have her passport.
Defendant trafficked her. Find
him guilty. Thank you.
But it wasn't
that simple. At 4 pm on July
29, there was note. Inner City
Press live tweeted here
All rise! Judge
Oetken: The jury has asked for
Camila's testimony, and if
they can rely on Camila's
passport for her age.
Jury
entering! Judge Oetken: We'll
answer your questions Monday.
Don't read about the case over
the weekend. A juror: Can we
take the instructions home?
Judge: Please leave your notes
and the instructions here.
[Jurors leave]
Judge: On
the passport, write me or
we'll talk Monday morning.
Defense lawyer: I
have an EDNY video arraignment
Monday 9 am.
But answers will
be given to the jurors, and
deliberations will proceed...
The case is US v.
Concepcion, 19-cr-883
(Oetken)
***
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