By: Tatiana Sanchez
Kendall Smith returns to room 19.11 of the Brooklyn Supreme Court with handcuffs around her wrists and a visible belly. It is two months after her last court date. There is no hiding her pregnancy now.
Her figure has filled out. She’s replaced her dark skinny jeans with gray sweatpants and a magenta Adidas track jacket. Her hair is pulled back into tight, skinny braids. A medical attention card hangs from the collar of her jacket, right below her chin.
A court officer temporarily frees Kendall’s hands as she stands before Judge Sheryl Parker, her lawyer at her side. Kendall pleads guilty to robbery in the second degree. She signs a Form of Appeal and with that, gives up her rights to contest her guilt plea. Judge Parker reviews the details of Kendall’s crime.
On Nov. 6, 2010, Kendall and an accomplice forcibly stole from a woman on Bedford Avenue at approximately 3:48 p.m. Judge Parker lists the items they stole as if she’s reading off a grocery list: “credit card, student ID, MetroCard, Victoria Secret gift card, and a purse….” Three teenage boys snicker in the back. The room smells faintly of marijuana.
Judge Parker asks Kendall a series of questions and she responds with disinterest.
“Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty?” Judge Brown asks mechanically. She’s asked the same question to hundreds of teen delinquents.
“Yes,” says Kendall impatiently. Her face betrays no emotion.
Her guilt plea has been granted with three conditions. She must submit to an interview by the Department of Probation, she must show up to all court dates, and she can have no new arrests. If she violates any of these conditions, Kendall will face a higher sentence.
Kendall is sentenced to a year in prison and five year’s probation. Her baby will be born in jail.
The Judge dismisses her. She is handcuffed and escorted into another room.
***
Jason Pagan walks into the courtroom with the same tough guy’s swagger. He sports a black shirt and gray sweats similar to Kendall’s. His hair has grown since his last visit. He sits on a bench alongside his father. Their cinnamon skin shines under the florescent lights.
The bailiff calls Jason’s name, and his father glances over at his son before watching him rise. He moves a few benches up so that he is closer to him.
“My concern with Mr. Pagan is that his CCA report is very poor,” says Judge Parker as she glances as his damning file. She asks the lawyers to approach the bench.
On Oct. 22, 2010 Jason and three other accomplices stole property from a woman in Brooklyn. One of them displayed a handgun.
Jason’s last visit was met with much disappointment- with 21 missed curfews and many absences from school, his report from the Center for Community Alternatives was less than promising. Judge Parker gave him two months to clean up his act.
Jason stands with his hands methodically crossed behind his back, as if he’s been coached to do so.
Bits of the Judge’s conversation trickle over to the audience.
“…he has a problem because if he goes to jail, it’s up to 10,” she said. Ten years.
Jason’s lawyer, Joseph Donatelli, aggressively pushes for his client, but Judge Parker loses her patience. She tells the lawyers to stay back and sends them to their respective tables.
She will grant Jason a little more time. He will continue to work with CCA to improve his behavior.
“We certainly will do out best to help you,” she said. She sets his next court date for June 3rd.
She wishes him luck and dismisses him.
Jason says hello to a friend as he leaves the courtroom. Out in the hall, Jason, his father, and Donatelli talk about what just took place.
Leave a Reply