Family of Victim of Cop Shooting Accuses Mayor of Dragging His Heels

By PAUL FRANGIPANE

The family of 18-year-old Ramarley Graham on Thursday demanded more information about the aftermath of the Bronx teen’s death, four and a half years since he was fatally shot by police and Mayor Bill de Blasio urged a “fair, speedy and transparent investigation” into the case.

The family’s anger was stoked by having to learn from an article in the Wall Street Journal that a police departmental trial was set for narcotics officer Richard Haste — who shot and killed unarmed Graham in February 2012 in the bathroom of Graham’s own home — rather than hearing about it from the mayor.

“I felt like it was so disrespectful for Mayor de Blasio to send this information to the Wall Street Journal before he calls me,” Graham’s mother, Constance Malcolm said while holding back tears on the steps of City Hall. “First of all, I live in the Bronx, they don’t even sell the Wall Street Journal in the Bronx.”

Civil Rights Attorney Gideon Oliver drafted a Freedom of Information Law request and filed it with the police department Thursday, demanding the identities of the other officers on the scene where Graham was killed and any actions that have been taken against them.

While Haste has been put on modified duty since 2012 and stripped of his badge, he has remained on payroll while the outcomes for some 12 other officers who were on the scene in 2012 were shrouded in mystery.

Councilman Andy King was told by the department that Haste’s trial would begin no later than November and conclude in January. Malcolm said she wanted to know the exact date of the trial in order to attend.

“Four and a half years and two de Blasio police commissioners later, the Graham family and the rest of us are still in the dark,” Oliver said.

Royce Russell, the Graham family attorney said, “The wheels of justice move slowly…At this point, those wheels are flat.”

De Blasio had demanded a quick resolution of the case when he still held the office of Public Advocate. Now that he is the mayor and has gone back on his promise, said Malcolm and the wall of council members and attorneys standing behind her, she vouched to oppose his reelection.

“You’re gonna be a one-term mayor and if it’s the last thing I do, that’s what I have to do,” Malcolm said.

Civil rights lawyer Tamika Mallory echoed the sentiment.

“We will ensure that if he does not do his job, we will be out campaigning just as we did for him, against him,” Mallory shouted.
“It’s embarrassing to know that the mother of a young man who lost his life can’t get basic answers from the administration,” Councilman Antonio Reynoso said of the situation. “I don’t even have the words to describe how little sense it makes and I apologize for the administration.”

De Blasio, who was traveling to Oklahoma for a conference of mayors, could not be reached for comment.

Photo by Paul Frangipane