JUDGE AND BITTERMAN: BROWNNOSERS?

As we reflect on the tragic event that happened to Mr. Barry Deloatch, September 22, 2011, we can infer that the leadership in New Brunswick is very much flawed. The so-called leadership has given the community of New Brunswick a slew of empty promises. When you have flawed leadership when it pertains to "police brutality", you have a serious issues that remain dormant and still menacing in the community. Now New Brunswick Police have another victim (Victor Rodriguez) of "police brutality", that they can add on in their statistics of "Gestapo" like brutality.

All the while that police misconduct is happening; nobody in leadership has introduced an action plan to hold their police accountable in New Brunswick. What you have is law enforcement officials and politicians "scratching one another backs", even when their backs are not itching. It seems Mayor Cahill created a mirage of bridging the gap with his police and community. From my recollection, Mayor Cahill was to inform the community as to when his hearings on community policing were to take place. He released a statement to this affect and then abandoned the community forums after the first attempt. It appears that members of the community are frustrated and attend city council meetings to air their grievances, which they have a right to do.

Then you have alot of "conflict of interest" in the Barry Deloatch case. Attorney Lawrence Bitterman's daughter working as a Detective in the homicide unit with the prosecutor’s office, which is the same unit investigating the case. Another conflict of interest, are the top cops (Prosecutors Office) working in the same building as of the New Brunswick Police. So how can the people of New Brunswick community rest assure that there will be no potential "cover-ups", when police have to investigate their own? Another conflict of interest: in the wake of the Judge Travis Francis ruling in denying the Prosecutor’s Office request for “special grand jury”, which the main reason in calling for a special grand jury, is to minimize as much bias opinion in the case as possible, you have Bitterman boasting abot the endurance of their 30 year relationship.

For Judge Francis to deny the request raises eyebrows for the community. Lawrence Bitterman said, “I have known Judge Francis Both as a lawyer and judge for 30 years.”The questions that personally rise within me are, why Bitterman so blissful in Judge Francis ruling, denying the prosecutor’s request? Could it be the fact that Judge Francis and Bitterman, have had a working and personal relationship for 30 years? So is that the reason Judge Francis ruled against the Prosecutor’s Office? Judge Francis chose to not compromise his 30 year friendship with Bitterman. They say justice is blind. It is not so blind when the community and I can see that Judge Francis chose his friendship over ensuring that the Deloatch case receives fair treatment so justice can be served.

I thought Judge Francis took an oath; I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me under the Constitution and laws of the United States. So help me God. There is no real definitive reasoning on why Judge Francis denied the request. Judge Francis mentioned that he did not see any difference in this case than any other case.

There is a difference; the difference is that Judge Francis buddy, Lawrence Bitterman is defending Berdel and Mazan in this case which is clearly a conflict of interest. Bitterman is doing too much “brownnosing”, that is an injustice to not only sway the judge but also the potential grand jurors in this case. The community must step up their efforts, by way of creative protest to send a message to the justice system in New Brunswick, since they have already sent theirs!

Assistant City Attorney Charly Gayden, mention in an article, that people should come to the "table of reasoning" with solutions, instead of finger pointing. Well, I have solution. If Charly Hayden have been hired to "bridge the gaps" in the community, then she should encourage the prosecutor to present a strong enough case to indict Berdel and Mazan. That is one solution Mrs. Hayden can implement. Another solution, influence the people who works for the people of New Brunswick Community (City Council)., to endorse the letter requesting the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Divison to come in and investigate the Deloatch case, Rodriguez case as well as the New Brunswick Police Department.

Until that happens, like Fredrick Douglass said, "Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe."

Walter L. Hudson Sr.

Civil Rights Activist

Chairman/Founder

Community Awareness Alliance

Penns Grove, New Jersey