January 16, 2020
Is justice denied. Nearly three years after a homicidal maniac hijacked Yadira Arroyo‘s ambulance and killed her with it in full view of dozens of eyewitnesses (video ***graphic warning***), yet another pre-trial hearing in the case took place today in the Bronx. Around three dozen of Yadi’s family and EMS colleagues sat staring in icy silence as the accused killer, Jose Gonzalez, was escorted into the 6th floor courtroom on East 161 Street surrounded by a swarm of Corrections and Court Officers. Clad in a bright orange jumpsuit with DOC emblazoned across the back and sporting a full beard, the defendant shuffled to his chair at the defense table.
Just before the hearing had begun, under the jurisdiction of Honorable Michael A. Gross, a freakish snow squall ripped across the Bronx, reducing visibility from the courthouse windows to such a degree that the shopping mall right across the street all but disappeared. And then it was gone again, as quickly as it had come, maybe two or three minutes long in all.
In Washington, D.C. the Senate Impeachment trial of President Trump got underway today. For context, the events upon which the Articles are based occurred just last summer. The President’s trial is expected to run for a few weeks, at most. Well under a year from start to finish, in other words. Yadi was murdered three years ago and the trial hasn’t even begun. It’s been delayed while hearings were held regarding the defendant’s fitness for trial and responsibility. EMS Union President Oren Barzilay commented last January that the defendant was playing the system.
At today’s Status Conference Gonzalez demanded to be released saying, “I can’t sit here continuing to think about something I didn’t do.” That was too much for two observers who stood up and hastily exited the courtroom, one looking like she was trying mightily to hold back tears. Judge Gross denied the request. A request to change lawyers was also denied with the Judge explaining it would only further delay the case while the new team got caught up. After the hearing family members and Union officials accompanied ADA George Suminski onto an elevator and headed off to confer privately.
Commenting on the defendant’s argument that the case is taking too long, an EMS medic outside the courthouse deadpanned to the Gazette, “well, that’s one thing we can agree on.”
