“Not Guilty” Verdict in Mount Vernon City Court Jury Trial for Man Accused of Violating Order of Protection
Jeffrey Scaggs, of counsel to Pappalardo & Pappalardo, successfully defended his client against the charge of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree.
It was alleged by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office that Jeffrey Scaggs’ client intentionally violated an order of protection issued by the Court. The trial, held in the Mount Vernon City Court before the Hon. Adam Seiden, lasted several days, with both sides calling numerous witnesses. If convicted, his client could have been sentenced to up to year in the Westchester County Jail.
Through cross examination, Jeffrey Scaggs uncovered serious issues of credibility and bias in the prosecution’s witnesses. Following the prosecution’s direct case, Mr. Scaggs called the defendant to the stand to tell the jury his side of the story. In his summation, Mr. Scaggs argued that the flaws in the prosecution’s case, coupled with the credibility of the defense’s own witnesses, left the jury with too much reasonable doubt to convict.
Jeffrey Scaggs said to the jury in his summation, “If you agree with me, that there are serious reasons to doubt the prosecution’s story, you have to find this man not guilty.”
The jury agreed, and after a short deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict of “not guilty.”