Justice Delayed?
In capital cases the wheels of justice turn slowly. Just how slowly was measured by Professors Barry Latzer and James Cauthen of John Jay's Government Department. They found that death-penalty appeals take too long, burden states with millions of dollars in expenses for housing and caring for convicted killers and impose additional traumas on the families of victims. Latzer and Cauthen looked at 1,676 cases in 14 states with enforceable death penalty laws. They found that it takes a median 966 days to complete the direct appeal. They also found that three quarters of the appeals upheld both the conviction and sentence. The reversal rate was 26.3 percent. Six out of ten reversals overturned the sentence alone while the conviction itself was overturned in 11 percent of the cases studied. The number of days for an appeal to reach the court of last resort varied greatly among states. Petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court added a median of 188 to 250 days. Factors that affected the number of days required to process an appeal included case complexity, number of dissenting opinions, a reversal of the lower court decision, prior review by an intermediate appellate court, and if there were State laws or rules on expediting capital appeals. The study, Justice Delayed? Time Consumption in Capital Appeals: A Multistate Study, was conducted for the National Institute of Justice.

Press Clippings
Hardly a week goes by around the country without a mention of John Jay College of Criminal Justice in a news story. In 2006 the College, its faculty, administration, students and alumni were quoted and/or mentioned in 1,150 media outlets ranging from large metropolitan daily newspapers to smaller local and regional publications to online venues. And that doesn't even count radio or television. John Jay graduates accounted for 21% of the coverage.


An Outstanding Delegation
A 15-member team of John Jay students was named Outstanding Delegation at the 2007 National Model United Nations Conference held in March. It is one of the largest international academic competitions in the world. The first place honor is the third consecutive award won by the John Jay College Model U.N. team who this year assumed the role of Slovakia and engaged in committee debates and deliberations, drafted resolutions and position papers, and took part in simulated proceedings before the International Court of Justice using actual cases. "This is an extraordinary achievement," said Professor George Andreopoulos of the Government Department who noted that this is one of the highest international distinctions that a college or university can receive. The 2007 team members were seniors Eamon Poller, Rasha Abousalem, Khaldoun Khelil, Mark Franks and Christina Salvo; juniors Gabriele Ursitti, Robert Roman, Almir Hot, Ali Bessyoni, Christina Lee, Arie Braizblot, Chake Nichanian and Ewa Hernik; and sophomores Sara Girgis and Heather McCown. Matt Zommer, a PhD candidate at the CUNY Graduate Center who teaches comparative criminal justice at John Jay helped the team prepare for the competition. 

Book & Author Series
Tuesday, May 1, 2007                           4:00 PM

The John Jay Book & Author Series is pleased to present Prologue to Violence: Child Abuse, Disassociation and Crime by Professor Abby Stein. Distinguished Professor Cathy Spatz Widom will serve as panelist.

John Jay College
Theatre Lobby
899 Tenth Ave., NYC

Film Preview: The Last Ghost of War directed by Janet Gardner
Wednesday, May 2, 2007 Show Times:    3:00 PM
                                                             5:00 PM
                                                             6:30 PM

The Office of Institutional Advancement invites you to this provocative documentary about the effects of Agent Orange (dioxin) on Vietnamese victims, American war veterans and ex-workers at US chemical factories. The Last Ghost of War examines the ongoing legal fight against 32 chemical companies. Produced by Pham Quoc Thai and Janet Gardner and narrated by Kevin Kline, the film was shot on location in Vietnam, France and the United States. Ms. Garner will be available to answer questions about the film.

RSVP to Cindy Zhu at czhu@jjay.cuny.edu

John Jay College
Room 630T
899 Tenth Ave., NYC

The Tides of War and Collateral Damage
Thursday, May 3, 2007                        10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
                                                         Please note change of time

The Office of Institutional Advancement is pleased to present a thought provoking panel discussion concerning the issues of justice surrounding the legacy and lingering effects of war, including Vietnam and the use of Agent Orange (see above). Among the panelists will be: Susan Hammond from the Fund for Reconciliation and Development in Washington, DC ; Attorney Dean Kokkoris who is representing a number of the Vietnamese victims; and Professor Raul Zamudio of the Art, Music and Philosophy Department. Distinguished Professor Gerald Markowitz of the History Department will serve as moderator.

RSVP to Cindy Zhu at czhu@jjay.cuny.edu

John Jay College
Theatre Lobby
899 Tenth Ave., NYC

First Annual Criminal Law Update: A Program for Members of the Bar
Saturday, May 12, 2007                           9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

John Jay College is pleased to announce the First Annual Criminal Law Update. A panel of distinguished jurists, outstanding litigators and practitioners will examine cutting edge topics in criminal law today. Topics will include: Developing Law and Practice on Accusatory Instruments in Criminal Court, The Changing Role of Counsel in Criminal Court, Search and Seizure, A Review of Driving While Intoxicated Cases, U.S. Supreme Court Review of Significant Cases Affecting Criminal Law Practice, and Depraved Indifference Murder. The program will also feature perspectives from judges of the NYS Court of Appeals, US District Court and NYC Criminal Court.

Application for accreditation of this course or program in New York is currently pending. CLE credit: 7 credits total: 6 Professional Practice/Practice Management & 1 Ethics.

Registration rates: Private attorneys: $95 - John Jay Alumni, Legal Aid, 18B & Public Sector law offices: $85

For more information or to register on-line, go to www.jjay.cuny.edu/ce or call the Office of Continuing and Professional Studies at 212-484-1101.

John Jay College
4th Floor
899 Tenth Ave., NYC

The Patrick V. Murphy Lecture
Wednesday, May 16, 2007                           6:00 PM

President Jeremy Travis cordially invites you the Patrick V. Murphy Lecture that will feature Colonel Dean Esserman, Chief of Police in Providence, Rhode Island. Chief Esserman will discuss how he was influenced by Murphy's legacy of police reform to reshape the Providence Police Department. A reception will follow.

RSVP to 212-484-1396

John Jay College
Room 630T
899 Tenth Ave., NYC

Malcolm/King Spring "T'ing" Scholarship Fund Raiser
Thursday, May 17, 2007                           6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Malcom/King Committee invites you to an evening of refreshments, music, dancing, and surprise guest appearances to support scholarships for John Jay students.

Contributors $30.00
Patrons $40.00
Supporters $50.00
The Real "T'ing" $120.00

RSVP to Marva Lilly at 212-237-8117

John Jay College
BMW Building, Room 615
555 W. 57th St., NYC

Occasional Series on Reentry Research
Friday, May 18, 2007                           8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

The Prisoner Reentry Institute is pleased to invite you to a presentation on "Perceived Criminality, Criminal Background Checks and the Racial Hiring Practices of Employers" by Michael Stoll, Acting Director, Center for the Study of Urban Poverty, and Professor of Public Policy and Urban Planning, University of California at Los Angeles. Sharon M. Dietrich, Managing Attorney, Community Legal Services and Kareem Omary, Employment Specialist, Center for Employment Opportunities will be discussants.

RSVP to Nicole Lindahl at nlindahl@jjay.cuny.edu or 646-557-4534.

John Jay College
Room 630T
899 Tenth Ave., NYC

Westchester County, NY Alumni Event
Wednesday, May 23, 2007                    6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

The Alumni Association of John Jay college of Criminal Justice is pleased to invite you to "A Conversation on Collaborative Law Enforcement" by Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. District Attorney DiFiore will discuss her efforts to improve the sharing of information and coordination of initiatives among intelligence agencies and public safety departments to combat the increasingly complex challenges posed by cross-border crime and terrorism. Light refreshments will be served.

Location:
White Plains Department of Public Safety
77 South Lexington Avenue, Lobby
White Plains, NY 10601

(Metered parking is available in the Galleria at White Plains Shopping Mall on South Lexington and Martine Avenues.
$0.50 per hour, please bring coins).

RSVP to Jennifer Smedes, Director of Development at smedes@jjay.cuny.edu or 212-484-1103.

Leona Smith (BS '85)
What does it take to run an island? When it comes to running an island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, it takes a John Jay graduate. Last January, Governor John deJongh appointed Leona Smith (BS ‘85) as the Administer for St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. She is the first woman to hold the position.

Smith is a problem solver who believes that "the main thing is listening to constituents." The duties of her position are similar to those of a local mayor. There are infrastructure issues, parking issues, school issues. Space is at a premium on the island so Smith is hoping the federal government can help. She is trying to relocate the school and add additional grades to bring it from K though 12. "We are in conversation with the National Parks Department to swap some land," she said. Also on her agenda is "bringing more government agencies to the island of St. John" where residents have to commute to St. Thomas - a trip that takes several hours -- for government business and services. "We want to improve customer services for our residents." And like so many public officials, she has to deal with a shortage of parking and the need for recreation centers for kids.

"My John Jay degree in criminal justice helps me to deal with the law enforcement and security issues on the island," she notes. While at the College, Smith belonged to both the volley ball and softball teams and recalled receiving the Most Valuable Player award. After graduating, Smith worked for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She subsequently served as a researcher for the Virgin Islands legislature and also headed the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs' Cruz Bay office and was chairperson of the St. John Festival and Cultural Organization

Like many islands in the Caribbean, tourism is essential to the island's economy. Smith says people enjoy coming to St. John because it is less congested than the other islands. She hopes John Jay students and alumni who are thinking about obtaining positions in policing will consider St. John.

Christian Cardona
Christian Cardona, a graduating senior at John Jay, was chosen as a 2007 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellow following a highly competitive nationwide contest. The Rangel Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University. The fellowship provides up to $28,000 annually in assistance for a two year master’s degree. Cardona will work on international affairs for a member of Congress this summer. In the summer of 2008, the State Department will send him overseas to work in a U.S. Embassy, where he will get hands-on familiarization with the work of the Foreign Service. A Brooklyn native, Cardona will receive his BA in international criminal justice this month and will use the fellowship to pursue a master’s in international affairs, with a concentration in international security. Upon completion of the degree and the Rangel program, he plans to become a diplomat with the U.S. Foreign Service.