View as Webpage

June 08, 2023

Greetings,

June marks Gun Violence Awareness Month, but for my Office this is a year-round, daily responsibility, as well as prevention, and prosecution of anyone who would harm someone in the Bronx using a gun. 

This past weekend, we held our 4th Annual March to End Gun Violence and Resource Fair. I was so proud to walk through the streets of Longwood with Yanely Henriquez, Yahisha Gomez and Desseray Wright, all of whom are suffering the loss of a daughter in a shooting: Yanely’s daughter, Angellyh Yambo, 16; Yahisha’s daughter, Kyhara Tay, 11, and Desseray’s daughter, Quanisha Wright, 16. The mothers poignantly spoke of their girls and pleaded for people to put the guns down.

A heartbreaking moment came when the march paused at the spot where Kyhara was shot—outside a nail salon on Westchester Avenue while waiting for her friends last August 17. Her extended family showed strength through their pain as a prayer was said over the rumbling of the elevated subway overhead.

We had dozens of people come out because they are tired of dealing with the devastating impact that shootings have had had on our neighborhoods. The NYPD, Bronx Cure Violence groups and other community organizations joined us.

This is why we are doing everything we can to provide young people with the resources they need to not engage with guns.

At the Youth Summit we hosted last month, kids spoke out and were provided with information on how to access jobs, housing and health care services. And there was dialogue on how to peacefully resolve conflict.

We must – we will - stop the shootings.

In service,

DA Clark 

Watch video for more

On May 20, District Attorney Clark and Lewis Zuchman, Executive Director of SCAN Harbor, hosted a Bronx Youth Summit at the Rev. T. Wendell Foster Recreation Center. Teens and young adults came together to identify solutions that can help reduce violence in the Bronx.

On May 12, Jermaine Sutherland, 33, of Brooklyn, NY was sentenced to 22 years in prison for Manslaughter and seven years in prison for Criminal Possession of a Weapon concurrently for shooting a man on White Plains Road. According to the investigation, an argument broke out among two groups. When the argument appeared to end, Sutherland approached the victim, who did not have a weapon but pretended to have one, and shot him three times in the neck. Sutherland was found guilty of the charges after a jury trial in April. 

On May 12, District Attorney Clark announced the indictment of four current and six former inmates for violent attacks in Rikers Island jails. Three men were brutally beaten during a “war” between alleged Bloods and Crips, and one man was left with deep wounds after a petty dispute. 

“We continue to prosecute violence in our jails, even when the victims do not cooperate with the investigation out of fear,” said Clark. “We must send the message that no one should be subjected to wanton brutality.” 

On May 10, District Attorney Clark announced that a Bronx judge vacated the Attempted Murder conviction of Norberto Peets, a Bronx man who served 26 years in prison, after investigations by her Conviction Integrity Bureau and the Innocence Project found that he had been wrongfully convicted due to ineffective defense counsel. On May 9, Bronx Supreme Court Justice Ralph Fabrizio vacated Mr. Peet’s conviction and dismissed the indictment on attempted murder, assault and weapon charges for shooting at people, two who were wounded, on September 29, 1996, under the elevated subway at Jerome Avenue and 183rd Street. The case was reinvestigated because the only evidence pointing to Peet’s guilt was a questionable eyewitness identification. 

“Norberto Peets has served 26 years in prison, after being found guilty in a trial where his lawyer overlooked key evidence that could have led to acquittal,” said Clark. “My Office’s Conviction Integrity Bureau has helped bring him some semblance of justice by investigating his claims and joining the Innocence Project to have the charges dismissed and clear his name. Hopefully it will help him as he puts his life back together.” 

On May 29, District Attorney Clark attended the Silver Beach Memorial Day Ceremony. The Silver Beach community held a small march and laid a wreath near a 9/11 monument in tribute to our nation's service members.

Our Prom Dress and Suit Giveaway had Bronx High School Seniors dressed to impress! Hundreds of free dresses and suits were distributed to make sure teens looked fabulous for their prom. A big thank you to everyone in the community who donated and our partner Bronx Fashion Week.

May marked Older Americans Month; a time to honor senior citizens for their lifetime of hard work, dedication to family, and commitment to community. District Attorney Clark attended birthday parties for seniors hosted by R.A.I.N. She enjoyed listening to their stories about the Bronx when they were growing up.

June 15, 2023, will mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It is an international effort in support of the United Nations’ International Plan of Action on Aging that acknowledges the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. The World Health Organization hosted the first WEAAD event in 2006.

During the week of June 12th, individuals and organizations all over the world will organize campaigns and events to urge awareness of the various types of Elder Abuse inflicted upon millions of vulnerable elders around the globe regardless of their socio-economic, racial or ethnic status.

District Attorney Clark attended the Met Council’s Legislative Breakfast to celebrate the 75th Birthday of Israel. She spoke about how our Office fights against anti-Semitism and  hate against all people every day.

The Bronx District Attorney’s Office is one of the largest employers in the Bronx. We are committed to pursuing justice with integrity by providing services to victims of crime and prosecuting the accused fairly. Whether you join our legal or professional staff, you will be provided with training, mentorship and opportunities for professional development. The collegial and collaborative environment will provide you with not just a job, but a home for building a career in criminal justice. Check out the wide variety of opportunities– IT, interpreters, digital forensic examiner, and clerical staff–we have available.

Our Rikers Island Prosecution Bureau is looking for a Crime Analyst. The person in this role create data reports and work with our Crime Strategies Bureau to identify crime drivers on Rikers. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please apply here.