Social Justice
SoHo Karen charged with hate crimes after falsely accusing Black teen of theft
Miya Ponsetto legal troubles have intensified.
Miya Ponsetto’s legal troubles have intensified.
According to The New York Post, Ponsetto was indicted by a grand jury on charges of unlawful imprisonment as a hate crime, aggravated harassment, and endangering the welfare.
The 22-year-old was caught on video accusing Keyon Harrold Jr., 15 — the son of jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold — of swiping her cell phone and then trying to tackle him in the lobby of the Arlo Soho Hotel on Dec. 26.
Ponsetto’s lawyer Paul D’Emilia entered a plea of “not guilty” on her behalf during a video arraignment in Manhattan Supreme Court Wednesday.
Her case isn’t eligibility for bail but Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Sarah Marquez asked that the judge continue the “highest level of supervised release” for Ponsetto.
D’Emilia blasted the indictment as “opportunistic” for Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance following the arraignment.
“Instead of helping to foster a civil and enlightened resolution to an unfortunate incident between two young people, DA Vance chose a craven and opportunistic path in indicting, with felony hate crime charges, Ms. Miya Ponsetto,” D’Emilia said in the statement.
“The charges alleged are a brazen and clear overreach of the intent of the statute. In sum, they are absurd, and a perversion of our legal system.”
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Laura Ward set Ponsetto’s next court date for Oct. 20, while warning that Ponsetto would likely have to appear in person in the future — a change from the coronavirus pandemic court procedures.
The Harrold family also filed a civil lawsuit against Ponsetto and the hotel back in May.
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
-
News6 days ago
South Carolina veteran dies on his birthday while saving 13-year-old boy from drowning
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks ago
Twin brothers miss their flight to Boston, later found dead in Georgia mountains
-
Black And Missing6 days ago
Update: The body of missing Ohio 13-year-old has been found; her father charged for her murder
-
Health & Wellness2 weeks ago
21-year-old man becomes first in New York to be cured of sickle cell anemia
-
Education6 days ago
Teacher ordered to remove inclusive signs from classroom; GoFundMe raises more than $15k
-
In Memoriam3 days ago
Brothers from New Jersey killed in Philadelphia highway crash
-
Culture4 weeks ago
Black Altadena family spanning generations lost 20 homes in Los Angeles wildfires
-
Black And Missing3 weeks ago
Body of missing Georgia teacher found in lake