Last night's Judaical Convention was not without dissatisfaction that current/former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson while denying rumors that he would be seeking a judgeship while petitions were being collected in his name for the Democratic primary (and several other party lines) did indeed accept the nomination for a Bronx Supreme Court Justice position from the Bronx County Judicial delegates.
Before the Judicial Convention even got under way there were protesters outside the Eastwood Manor where the event was being held. In all there were to be six people either renominated for their current judge ships on the Bronx State Supreme Court, or nominated to fill vacancies created by either retiring or term limits (those judges reaching age 70). The only one to really matter was when current Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo boisterously spoke about the man he was going to nominate for judge, that being Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson. Tom Messina of Congressman Joe Crowley's office seconded the nomination by saying that Assemblyman Crespo has said it all.
Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo later gave a speech saying that there are those in the media who want to criticize the choice of Robert Johnson being named as a candidate for judge after the petition process, and they are wrong because the law until it is changed calls for the process that is in place and it will be. Newly appointed Judicial candidate Robert Johnson refused to answer any questions from the media. including the one I had asked him over a month ago where he denied that he would be seeking a judge ship. Read more in my next column of 100 Percent in the Bronx News next Thursday as to what may be the real reason why now former Bronx DA Robert Johnson accepted the nomination for Bronx Supreme Court.
The Bronx Democratic County party leaders later convened to replace newly nominated Robert Johnson for Bronx District Attorney with current State Appelate Court Justice Darcel D. Clark. Much to what the game plan was. Some interesting notes about the Judicial Convention - Missing were Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Councilwoman Annabel Palma (an emergency), Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda (told not to go by his advisor), Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (another event), and many more. In attendance however was former 80th Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera looking more like a candidate for the state assembly every day, and in the 78th next year since she now resides with her daddy current Assemblyman Jose Rivera.
Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was at the Judicial Convention waving to the crowd of protesters outside. That's Bob Kappstatter now advising Assemblyman Luyis Sepulveda smiling in the background.
Below - A very angry Egidio Sementilli speaks to reporters about what he says is an injustice to the voters of the Bronx with the naming of current Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson as a judge to circumvent the primary process to have the Bronx Democratic County organization named Johnson's replacement and not the voters of the Bronx.
Above - Dick Drady of Citizen's Union joins Mr. Sementilli and others to say that Democracy is being subverted to name a replacement candidate after the primary for Bronx District Attorney.
Below - It is time for Mr. Stanley Schlein to call the 2015 Bronx Judicial Convention to order.
Former Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson thanks the delegates of the 2015 Bronx Judicial Convention for nominating him as a candidate for a Bronx Supreme Court Judge. That is Bronx Democratic County Leader Marcos Crespo who nominated DA Johnson to be a judge standing proud next to former Bronx DA Robert Johnson.
