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In June, it was determined the massive Greenpoint Terminal Warehouse fire in May had been set by homeless men looking for copper wire to sell, and Polish immigrant Leszek Kuczera was charged with arson. Though there had been some questions about whether Kuczera was involved, his case is being heard in court. The NY Times reports that deals have been discussed and, more unusually, the judge in the case took time to speak with the 59 year old defendant:
State Supreme Court in Brooklyn is no place to look for sympathy, but Mr. Kuczera has found it there. At a hearing yesterday, the judge overseeing his case conducted a long, private conference with the lawyers, then left the bench in full dress robes, walked across the courtroom and sat beside Mr. Kuczera at the defense table.The prosecution wants a guilty plea and Kuczera's lawyer refuses to change the plea. Both sides are due back in court at the end of the month.The judge, Abraham G. Gerges, a onetime city councilman from Greenpoint, spoke in a stage whisper and through a court translator. The judge began with talk of the neighborhood.
“They changed the name of the street,” Justice Gerges said. “And I have a lot of friends there, in the churches.”
The judge spoke of men he had represented as a lawyer, men he had helped. Mr. Kuczera nodded now and again and responded in Polish...
...The judge spoke of the Bowery Mission, a homeless shelter that offers job training and Bible studies. He spoke of treatment for alcoholism.
“I want him to understand we’re not promising anything,” Justice Gerges said to the translator.
“He understands,” the translator said.
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He sure looks a lot like Foley. Maybe they can share a cell.
Am I the only asshole who feels kind of sorry for the bloke? I guess it's because I live in Greenpoint but it breaks my heart seeing so many empty, drunk souls. I wish there were more help before it gets to this. Very, very sad. People should be able to get the help they need to stay sober and fairly happy. Life doesn't have to be so bad.
Let's see here:
Landlord with history of suspicious fires. Landlord encounters obstacles to demolishing buildings. Witnesses see the fire begin at several places in different buildings at nearly the same time. Fire department officials make statements about accelerant being used in arson.
Single homeles dude who was in upstate NY at the time of the fire done it.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
What was it Batson said? Disnyfication by arson, I think it was.
I am convinced this poor guy was offered a bucket of cash (for him, at least) to take the heat.
I don't know enough about this...except for everything you said is correct, mg, and...
THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS-
a rich and powerful man committed felony arson, endangering the lives of thousands, destroying a historic piece of architecture only to buy off a homeless alcoholic to bite the dust and build luxury condos at that location in 5 years.
THE WORST PART-
This is not the first time. This is ridiculous. I think the judge and everyone involved in this is crooked. People, I say it's about time to rally these dirty politicians on out of office. I'm sure they won't miss it when they're sitting around counting their payoffs.
Now, let's make the news about this guy being an alcoholic..please.
Dag...even Gothamist is trying to bury this story!
...I heard Jen Chung was on the payroll...