By A Staff Reporter NEWARK, N3J: In what is certainly a bitter irony, two years to the day Ranjit Singh and Sukhminder Singh were produced in court here on May 15, the U.S. Attomey who wrote threatening letters, purported to be from the Sikhs to the magistrate presiding ‘over the case and herself was let go without any punishment, even while the two respondents are still
languishing in jail.
Judge N. Politan of the US. District Court here said that since Judy Russell was not violent she ‘was not a danger to other people, therefore she would not be required to go to any mental facility. She is free to practice law.
Justice Dept. Protest
The ruling came over the protests of a U.S. Justice Department prosecutor who argued that Russell is suffering from a “serious and potentially dangerous disorder” and should be committed.
The prosecutor, Stuart Goldbe1g said there was reason to fear that under certain stressful situations” Russells alternative personality could assume “full control” over her actions and present a risk to others.
Politan said there was no evidence to support the government position.
Judy Russell had sent letters to herself and Magistrate Ronald J. Hedges from January 14, 1988 to March 3, 1988 while Sukhminder Singh and Ranjit Singh were being tried.
This viciated the atmosphere of the trial, caused authorities to post sharp shooters on the roofs and take other security precautions which included chaining and shackling of the respondents.
The FBI eventually discovered that the letters were being sent by Judy Russell herself.
Temporary Insanity
She pleaded not guilty for reason of temporary insanity, (WSN: March 17) a plea which was accepted by Judge Politan on March 10.
The decision was severely criticized by Sikh leaders and lawyers for Ranjit and Sukhminder (WSN March 24).
Ronald Kuby an associate of the famous civil rights lawyer William Kunstler who attended the proceeding said, “the trial judge stated over & over that Ms, Russell had not engaged in violent behavior. But I pointed out that when the Government thought Sikhs were responsible for the death threats, there were snipers posted on the rooftops of the court house. The court house was surrounded by armed marshals, all Sikhs had to be searched two three times before entering court the judge wore a bullet proof vest and Sukhminder and Ranjit were presented in court in chains and shackles.
It was only after the government learnt it was the prosecutor and not the Sikhs the government decided no violence was involved.
Sikhs Protest
”The other thing that was very disturbing about the trial was that there was no mention of Ranjit Singh Gill or Sukhminder Singh. They were utterly forgotten by the judge, the prosecution and the defense.”
A number of Sikhs from New York and New Jersey attended the court. They gave a press statement strongly condemning the courts decision. Those who attended the hearing included Amarjit Singh Grewal a trustee of Sikh Cultural Society N.Y. Jagjit Singh Mangat president of the society, Kamikar Singh trustee of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha N.J and Axjt Singh Mahal of NJ.
Double Standards
In a joint statement, Kunstler and Kuby said; ”As council for the two young Sikhs who were the principle victims of Ms. Russell’s misconduct we are sadden but not surprised that she has been permitted to escape any sanction for her crimes. From the beginning of this case the government’s double standard of justice. One standard for government officials and another for the rest of us has rendered the ideal of equal justice under law a mockery. Contrasting Treatment ‘When the government suspected our clients were somehow involved in the sending of the death threats they were brought to court in chains and shackles. Contrast this with the differential treatment to the author of these threats a former government prosecutor. Theinitial hearing at which Ms Russell’s guilty plea was taken was conducted without any notice to her victims or their counsel. Indeed, the trial judge refused to delay the proceedings by even an hour to permit council to be present.
”Today’s release of Ms. Russell is an aprocreatly tainted conclusion to a proceeding designed to shield government law breakers from the consequences of their crime.”
Article extracted from this publication >> May 19, 1989
