Post by kAHANyAH on Apr 22, 2004 8:49:38 GMT -5
York claims trial wasn't fair
By Sharon E. Crawford
Telegraph Staff Writer
Convicted child molester and cult leader Malachi York blamed a federal judge and prosecutors Monday for what he says was an unfair trial.
The statement was made in a hearing Monday on whether York's main attorney, Adrian Patrick, could withdraw from his case. Judge Ashley Royal said he would rule on the motion during York's sentencing Thursday.
York, the self-proclaimed leader of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors, told Royal that Patrick did not adequately represent him during his federal trial in January because he couldn't introduce evidence or witnesses that would have helped in York's defense.
"He was prevented by yourself and federal prosecutors from doing his job," York said in U.S. District Court in Macon. "It doesn't reflect on the young attorney's abilities."
York, who was convicted in January on nine federal charges of racketeering and child molestation, originally was scheduled to be sentenced in March.
A handful of York's supporters were in the courtroom Monday and one blew a kiss and smiled at York as he was led out of the courtroom.
Patrick filed a motion in March to withdraw from York's case, but the attorney did not give an explanation to why he wanted to be removed. Royal said he was leaning toward not allowing Patrick to fully withdraw from the case.
"You are the counsel of record for the trial of this case," Royal said. "And I think you can be of assistance to the attorneys on the appeal of this case, because I'm certain there will be one."
During the hearing Monday, U.S. Attorney Max Wood said his office was opposed to anything that would delay the case.
"We're opposing anything that will delay sentencing on Thursday," Wood said.
New York attorney Jonathan Marks and Jonesboro attorney Henry Charles have taken over representing York. Charles said they will not ask for a delay in the sentencing.
"We're ready to move forward in both hearings," Charles said. York also is scheduled to appear in federal court Friday for a restitution hearing.
York, 58, began his organization in 1967 in Brooklyn, N.Y., as a Muslim community. He later moved it to upstate New York, then to Putnam County in 1993. The group's ideology has undergone several shifts, claiming ties at various times to Christians, Jews, ancient Egyptians, cowboys and American Indians. At one time, York claimed to be an alien from another planet.
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To contact Sharon E. Crawford, call 744-4384 or e-mail scrawford@macontel.com.
www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/8471808.htm
By Sharon E. Crawford
Telegraph Staff Writer
Convicted child molester and cult leader Malachi York blamed a federal judge and prosecutors Monday for what he says was an unfair trial.
The statement was made in a hearing Monday on whether York's main attorney, Adrian Patrick, could withdraw from his case. Judge Ashley Royal said he would rule on the motion during York's sentencing Thursday.
York, the self-proclaimed leader of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors, told Royal that Patrick did not adequately represent him during his federal trial in January because he couldn't introduce evidence or witnesses that would have helped in York's defense.
"He was prevented by yourself and federal prosecutors from doing his job," York said in U.S. District Court in Macon. "It doesn't reflect on the young attorney's abilities."
York, who was convicted in January on nine federal charges of racketeering and child molestation, originally was scheduled to be sentenced in March.
A handful of York's supporters were in the courtroom Monday and one blew a kiss and smiled at York as he was led out of the courtroom.
Patrick filed a motion in March to withdraw from York's case, but the attorney did not give an explanation to why he wanted to be removed. Royal said he was leaning toward not allowing Patrick to fully withdraw from the case.
"You are the counsel of record for the trial of this case," Royal said. "And I think you can be of assistance to the attorneys on the appeal of this case, because I'm certain there will be one."
During the hearing Monday, U.S. Attorney Max Wood said his office was opposed to anything that would delay the case.
"We're opposing anything that will delay sentencing on Thursday," Wood said.
New York attorney Jonathan Marks and Jonesboro attorney Henry Charles have taken over representing York. Charles said they will not ask for a delay in the sentencing.
"We're ready to move forward in both hearings," Charles said. York also is scheduled to appear in federal court Friday for a restitution hearing.
York, 58, began his organization in 1967 in Brooklyn, N.Y., as a Muslim community. He later moved it to upstate New York, then to Putnam County in 1993. The group's ideology has undergone several shifts, claiming ties at various times to Christians, Jews, ancient Egyptians, cowboys and American Indians. At one time, York claimed to be an alien from another planet.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To contact Sharon E. Crawford, call 744-4384 or e-mail scrawford@macontel.com.
www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/8471808.htm