Bonita Zelman, the attorney representing the peers of Danroy "DJ" Henry who were arrested the morning Henry was killed, asked for all pending charges against the men to be dismissed in Mount Pleasant court today.
The courtroom was completely filled with supporters of the four defendants: Daniel Parker, Yves Delpeche, Joseph Garcia and Joseph Romanick.
DJ Henry's parents, Danroy Henry Sr. and Angella Henry, along with his two younger siblings, Kyle and Amber, also appeared in support of the men.
Daniel Parker and Yves Delpeche are each charged with Resisting Arrest, Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree and Disorderly Conduct, misdemeanors.
Joseph Garcia is charged with Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree and Disorderly Conduct.
Joseph Romanick is charged with two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, also misdemeanors.
In her appeal to the judge, Zelman recounted the events of Oct. 17, bringing many in the room to tears, and stated the young men were trying to aid their teammate and friend after he was shot by police. She added one of the defendants, Daniel Parker, displayed a Red Cross card indicating he was certified to administer CPR aid to Henry, but was denied access to the scene by police.
She further stated the Westchester County District Attorney's office continues to withhold the surveillance footage from the Thornwood Shopping Center, which she said would "prove their innocence."
Zelman addressed the on the shooting, stating, "it's a tragedy and a travesty" the police officers involved will not be indicted.
Further, said Zelman, the charges brought against her clients are just a "cover up for police brutality."
The assistant district attorney countered the four defendants did not heed the requests of police officers and "repeatedly refused to stay away from that crime scene," where there was a firearm on the ground.
When asked by Justice Robert Ponzini to clarify whether surveillance video would be turned over to the defense, the assistant district attorney responded in the negative.
"At this point we are not," he said.
He also said Zelman's involvement in the case continues to pose a conflict of interest, as she also represented witnesses from the Oct. 17 events. She dismissed the claim when speaking to the press afterwards, stating it was just a "delay tactic" imposed by the prosecution.
Zelman added the case against her clients has been biased from the start as it is based on a report compiled by a Mount Pleasant detective, who works in the same department as officers who were present at the scene.
After the men's appearance in the courtroom, supporters gathered outside of Mount Pleasant Village Hall, where several parties addressed the media, including Zelman, DJ Henry's parents and Tom Parks, the stepfather Brandon Cox, the of Henry's car and was also shot.
Additionally, representatives from organizations including the Sean Bell Justice Project, the White Plains/Greenburgh branch of NAACP and Blacks in Law Enforcement of America, said the bigger issue is police brutality and offered their support to the defendants.
Ponzini set a control date in the case of March 24, when he stated there will "hopefully" be a decision.
See attached video for further coverage of Thursday's events.
