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Perennial political candidate Christopher X. Brodeur was sentenced to 6 months in prison yesterday, after being convicted of aggravated harassment. The charge stemmed from a beef CXB had with his landlord. In a recent email, Christopher's girlfriend Jessica Delfino explained what happened:
The aggravated harassment charges come from a landlord/tenant dispute that got out of hand. His landlord, after 15 years of having Christopher as a "difficult" tenant (his words), decided to kick him out. He asked Christopher to leave, he even offered Christopher money (then decided not to offer money after all), and Christopher said he didn't want to leave willingly, and would fight to not have to leave, though at one point, Christopher asked for one year and said he'd leave willingly after that. His landlord used devious means to get him into court, lying and saying Christopher hadn't paid his rent. Christopher was able to prove he had paid his rent, and the case was dismissed. Christopher then found out he could do a rent strike until his landlord made the repairs in the apartment that had been the cause of Christopher's "difficult" tenant status (such as a fence that blocked the roof fire excape, faulty and dangerous electrical wiring, etc.) So, they went back and forth for awhile with that. During this time, Christopher would leave these long, rambling, sometimes aggressive (but never out right threatening) messages on his landlord's work place machine, saying things like, "You are taking my home away from me, so I should be able to burn your house down and make us even...". He thought that his speaking was protected by the first amendment, and I doubt he would have made the calls if he didn't think he was speaking within protected free speech. For example, he never would have called and said, "I'm going to kill you and burn your house down," because that is not considered protected free speech and he knows that.
The Post reports that in his two hour (!) sentencing statement, CXB was remorseful, and asked not to be jailed just for speech. Clearly, his plea for leniency was not accepted by the judge. What's worse, this is only the first of three cases CXB faces this year: the next ones accuse him of harassing the Bloomberg administration's press office, and threatening a reporter at the Observer. Let's hope that after all this, CXB learns to take a hint-- you can't threaten violence, ever, ever ever-- some people just aren't going to take it as a joke.
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Great Photoshop job!
FYI, sentences over 1 year = prison, sentences under a year = jail
While CXB was certainly annoying, arrogant and foolish, I hate the air of satisfaction Gothamist has on this entry. For all of CXB's shortcomings, he CHALLENGED Giuliani in front of the 9/11 commission, he was actually on the mayoral ballot, and was one of the FEW who had the balls to stand up to authority. What have YOU done for NYC lately?
Speaking of using pretentious, stupid middle initials, what is up with Jennifer 8. Lee. Yeah, I'm going to differentiate myself by modeling my name after a stupid 90's serial killer movie. She's going be taken very seriously as a journalist. Loser.
Being guilty of aggravated harassment makes him a hero?
And:
was obviously just an expression of "Free Speech"?
Bet the other 2 cases go just as well...
Apparently Jennifer 8. Lee's parents gave her that middle name, as 8 is a lucky number in China and they wanted to do something distinctive. The coincidence with "Jennifer 8" seems to be just that.
Your knowledge of NYC political issues is pretty deep, S.D. No, S.D., I'm talking about when the 9/11 commission publicly interviewed Rudy Giuliani, CXB stood up and demanded that he answer REAL questions about 9/11, namely the failure of police and fire equipment, and the true whereabouts of Giuliani at the time. Take a look. The "unidentified woman" is Delfino, and the guy next to her is Norm Siegel. CXB wasn't the only one who confronted Giuliani; he was just the loudest. There were many average-looking family members of 9/11 victims that heckled Giuliani as well.
The question on everyone's mind: Is Ms Delfino hot?
Long + rambling + somewhat aggressive = nutjob. Not attractive for a guy, but sometimes cute on a girl.
Okay, seriously, this guy should have known better, and at the same time, people need to differentiate between this guy's fantasy, e.g. burn your house down, and the reality that is the guy will do nothing of the sort, he's just talking. I'm up for the same thing over a phone call--people need to grow some balls and think about what they did to make someone snap like that--if you're not being ridiculous, it's pretty damn likely no one's going to threaten you. It's all about growing up, on both sides of the coin.
The world has gone crazy. The big picture in this country is dismal and a good guy like Chris is in jail for being kinda nutty and very annoying.
I can't help being even more disturbed because of the landlord/tenant aspect. Property owners/developers have to be taken with a grain (ton?) of salt because of the financial benefits to them of being able to steamroll someone. The burden of proof should always fall heavily on the landlord in court disputes for what should be obvious reasons. (Of course, we have a society increasingly weighted in the other direction.)
I hope Chris doesn't get evicted (or has that happened already) and the landlord, while having the satisfaction of having sent him to jail, still has to tolerate his presence on his property.
I feel guilty for not going to the sentencing hearing. Maybe one more supporter would have made a difference.
And yes, Jess is a very attractive woman.
"Your knowledge of NYC political issues is pretty deep, S.D."
Is it?
I thought this post was about CXB going to the Lock up!
Silly me. Mea Culpa.
"a fan of free speech", I'm glad he got his 15 minutes holding Giuliani to task. But to me, being the Loudest out of many isn't really much in my book even considering I don't like Giuliani.
Look, just to be clear to you: I don't think CXB is all that bad, just slightly screwed up. He's free to say what ever he wants. Bottom line is, he's accountable for his actions. That's what happened here and likely will happen in the next two court cases...
Off topic: Link for info on Ms. Jennifer 8. Lee
Its sad he is getting sent to jail. There should be some other kind of sentencing... but:
I was in the courtroom when they played the 10 or so rambling messages, and they were very, very, creepy, violent, and If I had recieved them repeatedly, along with creepy postcards, and I was a woman, I could see myself getting seriously CREEPED. And according to the law, that is aggravated harassment. You can't talk about other people's flesh getting ripped from the bone on answering machines. Also what lost the case for him was the fact that he mentioned repeatedly, that no jury in the world would convict him. He was challenging the jury to convict him... on tape! I am a big believer in free speech, but do it smart. (sorry for the mis-spellings)
What combination of syllables would have to roll out from my mouth to deserve six months in prison in the United States of America?
His 100 ideas for a better New York were pretty instructive. A lot of them were silly, in an academic sort of way. But jesus, I'll take silly civic-mindedness of the Ferrer failure any old day.
http://www.mayorbrodeur.org/
LOVE THIS GUY!
S.D. said:
"Bottom line is, he's accountable for his actions."
There were no actions besides dialing a phone. He didn't hurt anyone. He didn't even push anyone around. I've gotten shitty, creepy voice mail messages in my life. I delete them. CXB doesn't deserve to go to jail for speaking.
Lori, Verbally Threatening and menacing over a period of time is, Oddly enough, Illegal. If you get multiple phone messages like that, I suggest you call the police before we read about you in the paper.
Why should people worry about their Safety? Suppose he escalates Yet Again and assaults someone. I'm curious: would CXB's supporters stand up behind him if he assaults someone?
IMO, He's far from harmless. Look, he harassed and threatened people and is now paying the price.
Can't wait for the "Free CXB" music video...
He has ZERO record of violence, however a long record of delusions, ramblings, silly song,s and verbal confrontations with authority. He's in his late 30's I think. By now, dont you think he would have done something violent, if he was violent (which he is NOT)? Especially since you consider he and Giuliani HATED each other all through the '90s, and Brodeur has been thrown in jail a number of times by Giuliani.
Being an asshole is not worth going to prison for. I bet you anything he'll get an early release, and he'll successfully sue the city for wrongful imprisonment. The city will settle with him. He's ACTUALLY DONE IT BEFORE by proving Giuliani imprisoned him simply for TALKING.
"Being an asshole is not worth going to prison for."
I've no doubt proved time and time again...
Being guilty of Threatening Harassment and menacing is.
Ok, I'll play Devils Advocate:
"Free CXB!"
"Free CXB!"
"Free CXB!"
"Free Political Prisoners!"
"Power to the People!"
Oh Wow, that sounded really stupid just typing it!
Meanwhile, Back to Reality:
- This ain't the 90's
- Giuliani ain't the mayor
- His landlord pressed charges (This time around)
- From the article:
Simply put: He's in jail for his actions, nothing more."For example, Brodeur threatened to "torture," "mutilate" and "peel the flesh [from]" the pair."
Really want to support him? Buy his Book "Perverted Little Creep" (I kid you not, that's the title...), Donate via Paypal on his site, Organize a protest, etc.
Sheesh.
It's 2006 and everyone still believes the govt doesn't lie?
EX:
the two judges who sent me to RIkers for a total of 12 months were both... appointed by Giuliani and BLoomberg!!
DUH!
That's not even remotely LEGAL!
EX:
I didn't harass anyone and the DA backs me up: at the last minute he DROPPED ALL THE CHARGES and snuck in new ones without notifying anyone.
He also dropped most of the alleged victims at the 11th hour, to avoid having some of Bloomberg's top staff testify under oath, knowing the media would be in attendance and see the whole kangaroo court event was a hoax.
EX:
I never once threatened anyone. And I'll play anyone the tapes, or show them the court transcripts to prove this.
It was more govt spin, and even my friends fell for it!
Sheesh!
I do NOT believe threats are free speech. That's why I never threatened anyone.
EX:
DO ANY OF YOU really believe it was purely coincidental that my super-corrupt landlord (named in the Voice as one of the Top Ten worst!) had me arrested THE WEEK THE NYPRESS 50 MOST LOATHSOME NEW YORKERS ISSUE WAS ON STANDS, with him listed as #22????
Oddly enough, the first 2005 arrest came days after the NYPress cover story by me destroying Bloomberg hit the streets.
Just uncanny timing, right?
Govt arresting its critics on false charges?
Besides, which of you naysayers will denounce that "convicted terrorist" Nelson Mandela?
Here's a helpful tip:
GOVT LIES.
A lot.