WAMC New York News
(2009-10-15)
The Queens democrat won't automatically lose his senate seat. He faces up to a year in prison.
Monserrate was found guilty on a misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault for injuring her while forcibly dragging her by the arm from the apartment.
While a misdemeanor conviction doesn't automatically force Monserrate to vacate his senate seat from Queens, it opens the door for senators to consider passing a resolution to either censure or expel him.
Monserrate claimed the incident was an accident, and so did his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo. But prosecutors argued she told medical personnel Monserrate intentionally smashed a drinking glass following an argument about another man.
Judge William Erlbaum issued the verdict Thursday in the non-jury trial.
© Copyright 2012, wned
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