Hiram's Abuse Tape Too Graphic to Have Potential Jurors See

A judge has refused to release the video that allegedly shows State Senator Hiram Monserrate yanking girlfriend Karla Giraldo "viciously and violently" around his Queens home. Monserrate will stand trial for assaulting Giraldo with a broken glass, an incident that required her to get twenty stitches on her face. His lawyer said of the video, "We won't even get a chance. It's adding fuel to the fire. It's totally inflammatory." The request to release the video was made by the Daily News, but the judge thinks that the powerful images would taint potential jurors. He said, "The defendant will not get a fair trial. It has the great potential for prejudice. A picture is indeed worth a thousand words...it causes the blood to boil." He also told Moserrate's lawyer, "You and your client have to make your peace with this exhibit. You'll have to cope with it...It's inevitable that it's going to come out."