Judge Lillian Ransom reinstated murder charges against Mark Dial in Eddie Irizarry Jr.’s killing

Por

-

03/11/2023

JUDGE-LILIAN-SLIDER — Eddie Irizarry Sr said: "I was trusting God. This judge did everything in a professional way. We practically lost two lives: a police officer who is a young man who may be a good person, but because he does not have the right training, we also lost our son's life...”/ Zoraida Garcia, Eddie Irizarry’s aunt, and a family member are sharing their reactions about Judge Lillian Ransom's decision of Mark Dial to go to jail with UNIVISION and Impacto. / Ana Cintron, Eddie Irrizarry’s aunt, shared her reaction with Telemundo 62 and Impacto. The family chose her to speak with the news reporter after Ransom ordered Dial to be jailed without bail.

«What was said before the shooting, as well as other facts of the case, should be handled at a trial, not a preliminary hearing.» -Assistant District Attorney Lyandra Retacco

Philadelphia, PA – Judge Lillian Ransom’s decision on October 25th, 2023, at the Justice Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Philadelphia, PA, was met with anticipation and relief as she reinstated all charges against former police officer Mark Dial. Dial was ordered to be jailed without bail, a ruling that was met with celebration by Eddie Irizarry Jr’s family and the supportive community present.

Eddie Irizarry’s father expressed his faith in the justice system, stating that the judge handled the matter professionally. He also emphasized the need for improved police training and accountability for wrongful actions, expressing sorrow over the loss of both their son’s life and potentially the career of a young police officer.

Conversely, members of Mark Dial’s family openly grieved over the judge’s decision. Brian McMonagle, representing Dial, made an emotional plea to Judge Ransom to avoid going to trial. However, Assistant District Attorney Lyandra Retacco argued that the statements made by the officers involved before the shooting and other case facts should be examined during the trial. Judge Ransom ultimately made her decision based on the presented evidence.

Eddie Irizarry Jr’s family is listening to their lawyers about what to expect after Ransom’s decision. They were giving every possible scenery.

The courtroom and courthouse hallway were filled with tension, and Judge Ransom cautioned those present to remain calm, aware of the emotional impact of her decision. Various community leaders and organizations, including The Rock and Esperanza, attended to support the Irizarry family, who had been grappling with the loss of Eddy and the ensuing legal proceedings for two months.

Zoraida Garcia, Irizarry’s aunt, tearfully expressed her relief, saying, «This is justice.» She also thanked the community for their support, explaining that the decision’s outcome was emotionally overwhelming.

The decision was a cause for celebration among Irizarry’s friends and family, who had tirelessly advocated for «Justices for Junito.»

Ana Cintron, another of Irizarry’s aunts, saw the ruling as a positive first step and praised the judge for her decision. She also underscored the need for further steps in the quest for justice.

Zoraida Garcia, Eddie Irizarry’s aunt, receives the news that Mark Dial is going to jail.

Beyond the individual case of Mark Dial, this ruling represents progress toward determining responsibility for the tragedy and understanding how it transpired. Many residents of Philadelphia, especially Latinos, are calling for reform within the city’s police force to prevent such senseless events in the future. They are also demanding a reform of the U.S. justice system to hold police officers and officials accountable when lives are lost. Dial’s defense team is exploring options to move the trial out of Philadelphia. Still, Zoraida Garcia is steadfast in her belief that the trial should remain in the city where Eddie Irizarry lost his life.

This decision marks a significant step forward, with broader implications for both law enforcement accountability and the demands for reform in Philadelphia and the nation.

Lili Daliessio is the Community Information Manager at Esperanza Housing and Economic Development.

Nonpartisan Voters Guide to the 2023 Carluccio-McCaffery Supreme Court Race

Por

Impacto

-

03/11/2023

Guides Vote

A seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is up for election on November 7. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has seven justices. Four are currently Democrats, and two are Republicans, with the one open seat. This election won’t change the Democratic majority. But a Republican victory would strengthen their minority and make possible a Republican majority when the next seat is up for election. The Court’s last election was closely decided, won by less than 25,000 votes out of nearly 2.8 million cast.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court decides questions of state law that often have a significant impact. In recent years, the Court:

Reversed a lower court order that had halted 2020 general election results certification, allowing certification to proceed.
Held that the 2011 congressional map drawn by the state legislature constituted an illegal, partisan gerrymander.
Ruled that the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects people from being forced to hand over their digital passwords.
Overturned provisions of Pennsylvania’s shale drilling law.
Ruled that election officials should reject most undated and wrong-dated absentee and mail-in ballots.
Held that warrantless searches are unjustified if they are based solely on the smell of cannabis.

To help you decide this election, we’ve assembled background about the candidates’ education and previous work experience, along with public statements and publicized endorsements, to indicate how they might rule on key issues in the future.

Carolyn Carluccio

judgecarluccio.com

Carolyn Carluccio graduated from Dickinson College and earned a J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law. She has been a judge on the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas since 2010 and the President Judge since 2022. She served as Assistant United States Attorney from 1989 to 1997 and was the Montgomery County Chief Public Defender from 2002 to 2006. As a volunteer, she has taught sixth graders civic education for the past ten years.

On abortion, in the primary campaign called herself a defender of “All Life Under the Law,” and listed her endorsement by the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation. In August said, “women’s reproductive rights are protected by Pennsylvania law” and can only be changed by the governor and legislature.
On COVID, opposed mandating masking for Montgomery County employees during the pandemic. “You’re not going to mask my employees…I’m not mandating masking…. The science did not support it at that point in time.”
On gun rules, is a “Defender of 2^nd Amendment Rights.”
On her judicial philosophy, she follows conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s originalism, interpreting the Constitution according to the original intent of the authors.
On LGBTQ rights, “was thrilled to be” officiating a same-sex marriage.
On voting rules, says that Act 77, which expanded mail-in voting and absentee voting options in Pennsylvania, “has been very bad for our Commonwealth.”
On why she’s running, she’s running to “bring balance to the Court,” which currently has a

4-2 Democratic majority. “I am running to get politics out of the Court.”

Carluccio’s endorsements include the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, Pro-Life Coalition of Pennsylvania, and the County Detectives Association of Pennsylvania.

Daniel McCaffery

judgemccaffery.com

Daniel McCaffery graduated from Temple University and earned a JD degree from Temple University School of Law. He has been a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania since 2020 and a judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas from 2014 to 2019, and was an Assistant District Attorney from 1991 to 1996. He was in private practice from 1997 to 2013. He served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve and was honorably discharged. As a volunteer for the Democratic Party, he participated in more than 50 political campaigns.

On abortion, as a Justice would “protect… women’s reproductive rights.” “I trust my daughters to make their own decisions, their best decisions for their own reproductive rights.”
On labor, as a Justice would “protect… worker rights.”
On his judicial philosophy, “The law is the vehicle that drives society toward a more level playing field.” A Justice’s “real role is to define the relationships between government and citizens.”
On LGBTQ rights, as a Justice would “protect… LGTBQ+ equality.” Marched in the Pittsburgh Pride Parade.
On voting rules, supports “voting rights” and reposted a tweet that opposed efforts to invalidate Act 77 and reduce mail-in voting.
On why he’s running, “I’m running to become a Supreme Court Justice with the courage and conviction to protect, defend, and obey our constitution and the rights it provides.” “Our courts…have been politicized.” “I will use my best efforts to restore faith in the judicial branch of government.”

McCaffery’s endorsements include the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood, the Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council, Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters, and the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association

guides.vote is a nonpartisan effort to show where candidates stand, with links to credible sources. We do not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office. Vote411.org offers guides to local races.

guides.vote

facebook/guides.vote

@guidesvote

instagram/guides.vote

Los votantes elegirán al Poder Judicial

Por

Iraida Afanador

-

03/11/2023

El martes 24 de octubre de 2023, Pennsylvania for Modern Courts (PMC) celebró una sesión virtual con más de cuatrocientos asistentes. El propósito fue escuchar las respuestas de los candidatos judiciales de Pensilvania a las cuestiones de las participantes relacionadas con las preguntas planteadas a los candidatos que se postulan para los sistemas de la Corte Suprema, el Tribunal Superior, el Tribunal de la Commonwealth, el Tribunal de Apelaciones Comunes y el Tribunal Municipal/de Primera Instancia de Pensilvania.

Estuvieron presentes el juez Matt Wolfe, un candidato demócrata que se postula para el Tribunal de Apelaciones Comunes, y la abogada Megan Martin, candidata republicana, procedente del condado de Cumberland, que compite por un puesto en el Tribunal de Apelaciones Comunes de Pensilvania.

Cuatro candidatos se postulan para dos escaños disponibles en el Tribunal Superior: la abogada María Battista, el juez Harry Smail (ambos republicanos), la abogada Jill Beck y la jueza Timika Lane (ambos demócratas).

Actualmente, el Tribunal Superior, con un total de siete escaños, tiene una mayoría demócrata de cuatro magistrados. Los dos jueces restantes fueron elegidos republicanos.

En las próximas elecciones para la Corte Suprema de Pensilvania, están el candidato demócrata, el juez Danel McCafferty, y la candidata republicana, la jueza Carolyn Carluccio.

Se preguntó a cada candidato sobre sus antecedentes y cómo afectarían su toma de decisiones una vez elegido. Todos dijeron genéricamente que sus antecedentes personales y políticos sí entran en la sala del tribunal, y que el estado de derecho es lo que impulsa el sistema judicial, y que serían justos e imparciales.

La directora ejecutiva de PMC, Sra. Debra Gross, enfatizó la dedicación de la organización a un proceso judicial justo y accesible en Pensilvania.

Y es que es importante que sus ciudadanos reconozcan que nuestro sistema judicial afecta en gran medida nuestra calidad de vida y seguridad pública. Este complejo proceso puede resultar abrumador de comprender. Desafortunadamente, debido a que sólo el 30 por ciento de los votantes participa en los años impares, una pequeña mayoría tiene todo el poder para tomar decisiones que impactan nuestra vida diaria.

Este año, la importancia de votar el 7 de noviembre aumenta en comparación con años electorales anteriores tanto en nuestra nación como en nuestro estado. Además, nuestro sistema judicial estatal tiene una mayor influencia en nuestras comunidades en comparación con cualquier otro sistema judicial.

Recuerda emitir tu voto el 7 de noviembre. Anima a los familiares elegibles mayores de 18 años a acudir a las urnas. Corre la voz entre tus vecinos y amigos, instándolos a participar en el proceso electoral.

Familiarízate con los lugares de votación designados y no olvides llevar tu identificación, incluida su licencia de conducir y número (o tarjeta) de Seguro Social, para asegurar que tu voto se registre correctamente.

Esta historia es parte de Every Voice, Every Vote, un proyecto colaborativo administrado por The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. El apoyo principal lo proporciona la Fundación William Penn con fondos adicionales del Instituto Lenfest, Peter y Judy Leone, la Fundación John S., James L. Knight, Harriet y Larry Weiss, y la Fundación Wyncote, entre otros. Para obtener más información sobre el proyecto y ver una lista completa de colaboradores, visite www.everyvoice-everyvote.org. El contenido editorial se crea independientemente de los donantes del proyecto.