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CNN Saturday Morning News
New York City Focuses on Drinking Among Police
Aired August 11, 2001 - 08:11 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The police officer accused of killing a family while driving drunk faced a judge in New York City. His case focuses new attention on heavy drinking among the police.
CNN's Jason Carroll reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): New York Police Officer Joseph Gray arrived for his arraignment with his family. While there, he also had to face members of the family he killed during an alleged DWI accident. Gray walked in a free man but he left in handcuffs. Gray plead not guilty on all charges, including three counts of manslaughter. The prosecution asked the court to set bail for half a million dollars, calling the officer's behavior selfish, irresponsible and reckless.
The judge set bail at a quarter million dollars less than a week after another judge released Gray on his own recognizance.
HAROLD LEVY, GRAY'S ATTORNEY: And I thought there was no reason to set that high a bail. I thought a lower bail would have just as easily secured his appearance.
CARROLL: The victim's family was not satisfied either, saying the bail still wasn't high enough to keep Gray in jail.
REP. NYDIA VELAZQUEZ (D), NEW YORK: The mother, Dona Maria (ph), and the father and the husband are disappointed. They did not believe that this man could walk free today.
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: We want justice! We want justice!
CARROLL: The victim's family organized a rally outside the state courthouse. Some held signs calling for justice for the victims. Maria Herrera, who was eight months pregnant, her 4-year-old son Andy and her sister Dilcia. Some 50 demonstrators showed up. Through their tears there was sadness and anger.
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER: What are we here for?
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTERS: Justice!
UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER: What do they need to do upstairs? CARROLL (on camera): Justice has come in many forms since the accident. Three of Gray's fellow officers were fired for drinking with him on that day. A dozen more officers were disciplined. The justice the victim's family wants is the kind that puts Gray in prison.
Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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