Hello University City, I am forwarding to you the message I sent out to the participants on my lists (48th St. Neighbors). As you may know, we have been focusing on issues related to crime and safety, including keeping updated on crimes in the neighborhood, and community building, such as the 2 Porch Hops during the summer that we organized. Our group started after this crime happened.
Please consider joining us in the courtroom - we need compassionate, and determined folks to be there, to give support to all of the victims involved, and to be a message to the judge that we want what is most right to happen - not to go to trial. Because of the timing, many folks are too busy to come, and so I am reaching out to a wider circle for this hearing. Please let me know if you would like to join us. Patty Bulack [email protected] ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Patty Bulack <[email protected]> Date: Mon, Sep 3, 2012 at 10:13 PM Subject: Kareem Drayton(confessed rapist): Hearing for withdrawal of guilty plea/possible sentencing this Friday (Sept. 7th). We need neighbors to be there! To: [email protected], Drew Matter < [email protected]>, [email protected] Hello All, For those of you new to the list, this is the hearing for the possible sentencing of Kareem Drayton, who confessed to raping our neighbor in September of 2011, on the 900 block of 48th St. This crime is the incident that started our group, and it has been so important to us to keep abreast of what is happening with this case. We stand in support of the victims (he committed 3 robberies with 4 victims, one robbery ending in rape). At Kareem's last hearing, he fired his lawyer, and asked to withdraw his guilty plea and go to trial. We have now come to the hearing where the judge will consider that. This is a very important hearing - I am thinking that our presence could really make a difference. At least, we will register our position that the victim(s) should be spared having to go through a trial, especially since he has already confessed to these crimes twice. I am not well-versed in how these things go, but I do know what Kate Thurston, the Assistant District Attorney on this case said. She was hoping that Kareem's newly appointed defense attorney would be able to talk him out of wanting to withdraw his plea. We are hoping that is what will happen - that he decides to take this negotiated guilty plea instead, and see how the judge sentences him. If you ever thought you wanted to join us in this effort, the time is now. Please make every effort to be there. We really need to show the court, and the victims, that we stand in support of them, and wish to see this chapter ended. There are those of us who will be there who are also very concerned for Kareem. We have been told that going to trial will actually be worse for him, as the judge will tend to give him a more severe sentence for choosing to put the victims through that. We will be in prayer for him, and his family (who were strongly influencing him to withdraw his plea at his last hearing). We just want what is most right in this situation to prevail.... and I think that our presence will be a part of that, seeing how our last time in court went. Please let me know if you are thinking of coming, or are sure you can. Last time we had 6, and I would like to at least have that many attend this time. The time is not yet confirmed, but I would assume at 9:30 or 10 am, and plan on a few hours. I will try to get an update from Kate Thurston this week, and let everyone know for sure. Its room 802, at the Criminal Justice Center (13th and Filbert). I will be driving if anyone would like a ride. I will need help to pay for the parking, which is right next to the CJC (convenient but expensive!). Also, if you are not able to come but would like to send a message of support to our neighbor who was victimized by Kareem, please send that to me. I was able to forward messages to her last time (at sentencing of Tyshanek Presley, Kareem's accomplice) that I am sure meant a lot to her. Thanks all, for considering participating in this difficult but necessary part of the work.... I hope to see you there! Yours, Patty
