| Senator Kevin Parker, who has his own assault case to worry about, defended his colleague Senator Hiram Monserrate today.
From Liz:
If it comes down to a vote to oust Monserrate, Parker said he will be a "no". He insisted that has nothing to do with his own situation, but rather is borne of a belief that "it is not my place" to decide whether a duly-elected lawmaker has the right to retain his seat.
"The Legislature makes the laws and the court looks at guilt and innocence," Parker said. "The courts are still legally in this process. I think any conversation about anybody doing anything to Hiram now is putting the cart before the horse when you haven't heard what the sentence is going to be."
Parker also noted Monserrate and his attorney, Joseph Tacopina, have said they intend to appeal the senator's conviction. So, in the end, he might be completely exonerated and, in Parker's eyes, the Senate will have engaged in "double jeopardy by punishing (Monserrate) a second time."
"I don't see how it helps this conference or the state of New York to rush to judgment when the legal system hasn't rendered a final verdict," Parker said.
"Frankly, I think most of these people on both sides of the aisle are more upset about Hiram's involvement in the coup attempt than they are about the incident involving his girlfriend, honestly."
Parker's argument is weak. There are those in Albany who were prepared for a felony guilty verdict to be handed down, which would have led to Monserrate's ouster. That was a very real possibility. It didn't pan out that way, but that doesn't make what Monserrate any better.
Is this revenge for the coup attempt? Maybe for a few people. I don't see it being the reason for a lot of those coming out and saying he should resign. I think it has more to do with the crime. I have watched the surveillance video of Monserrate escorting his girlfriend out of the apartment building. It is nothing short of chilling.
I don't think is Parker looking out for himself either. He genuinely believes this. It's a weak view, but it's one that he would hold no matter what was going on in his own life. |
