Women's organizations throughout the country were outraged. The Legislative Gazette in Albany reported, "Since he was charged with the crime, Monserrate has encountered sign-carrying protestors and has been the target of anger and criticism from women’s organizations and some lawmakers." Since then, he has given up his seat as chair of the Senate's Consumer Affairs and his case proves interesting in many aspects: ethics, politics and law.
His girlfriend, Karla Giraldo has recanted her statement and is supporting Monserrate's claim that the entire incident was an accident. However, videos have been leaked of the senator dragging his girlfriend and hitting her across her face. Monserrate allegedly became enraged after finding a picture of a businessman in Giraldo's wallet, according to the New York Post (Gorta, William, Oct. 1). Giraldo was first heard saying to the hospital staff that the senator had hit her, but she later changed her statement after she learned about Monserrate's potential arrest, according to the New York Daily Times article on Dec. 20.
Expressing her discontent with Monserrate's claim of the incident being an accident, Assemblywoman Patricia Eddington told the Legislative Gazette on Sept. 21, "Eddington said, “Maybe someone could fall over a couch with a glass in their hand and rape a woman’s face" (Mickalonis, Elyse, Sept.21).
Sen. Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn) reported to the New York Daily News saying that the Senate should consider removing Monserrate from his seat. "It's an assault against a woman," he said. "I would hope he would just step aside and move on, but I know better. He ain't going anywhere" (Zambito, Lovett, Siemaszko, Oct.15).
The Judge's Ruling on Oct. 15
The Judge, William Erlbaum of Queens acquitted Monserrate on Oct. 15 and charged him for a misdemeanor instead of a felony. If he were convicted of a felony, he would have immediately been removed from the Senate. However, Giraldo recanted her initial statement to the police, as reported by the New York Times (Hauser, Christine, Jan.16). Monserrate has also said that he wants to marry his girlfriend as the New York Times reported on Oct. 17.
When Giraldo was shown the video of Monserrate dragging her, she broke down and said that she could not go on. According to the New York Times article, Giraldo said that Monserrate did not drag her. "“He never hurt me or did anything to me. He was pulling me for my own good, and thanks to him I’m all right and my face is all right," she said during her testimony.
People, senators and women's organizations are enraged with this decision. Liz Krueger, a Democratic Senator, has officially stated today that Monserrate shoud resign. She said, " The Senate is exploring our institutional legal options now that the Courts have ruled, but haven’t yet issued a sentence. For me, the length of the sentence does not matter - domestic violence is domestic violence, guilt is guilt. Therefore, I believe Hiram Monserrate should not remain in the Senate."
Democrats are under pressure "to fire" Monserrate as groups and organizations around New York are enraged at the judge's decision. People against the decision believe that the ruling was unconstitutional. A number of Democrats are supporting the decision that Monserrate vacate his seat, including Sen. Liz Krueger and Sen. Neil Breslin. By Oct. 19, the Democrats are expected to come up with a decision.
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