Prosecutors in a Queens court yesterday began making the case against newly sworn in State Senator Hiram Monserrate on charges of second-degree assault for last month's slashing of his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo. A judge refused to lift the order of protection separating the two and did not allow Giraldo to speak before the court. Monserrate withdrew his previous waiver of his right to a speedy trial, so the case can now be brought before a grand jury. more ›

Today, the NY Times and Daily News report that the police have video footage of State Senator Hiram Monserrate and his girlfriend Karla Giraldo during their apparent dispute last month. Giraldo ended up in the hospital, with a black eye and requiring 20 stitches for a gash near the eye, and the authorities arrested Monserrate, charging him with assault. more ›