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You think Boston politics are rough? Try Winthrop
By adamg on Tue, 11/08/2011 - 5:08pm
A Winthrop man is charged with aiming his SUV at a campaigning Town Council candidate and his children yesterday afternoon.
James Lederman, 68, was arraigned today on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of an accident, and operating a motor vehicle to endanger for an incident on the Winthrop Bridge, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.
According to the DA's office:
Winthrop Police responded to the scene at about 4:15 yesterday afternoon, finding a group of people holding campaign signs in advance of today’s municipal elections. Several of them pointed out the victim, who stated that he was standing on the sidewalk and waving to passing motorists with his four children when Lederman approached in a black sport-utility vehicle.
The victim and several witnesses told officers that Lederman swerved toward the victim intentionally, causing the victim to hit his hand on Lederman's vehicle as it traveled closely past him. One observer told police that Lederman had been driving in the left-hand lane when he abruptly swerved into the right lane heading directly toward the victim.
Lederman's alleged target was Town Council President Jeff Turco. Lederman is a supporter of Turco's opponent, Peter Gill. He is also a sports columnist for the local paper.
Prosecutors asked for $5,000 bail; East Boston District Court judge Roberto Ronquillo, Jr. released Lederman on personal recognizance, but told him to stay away from the victim.
Innocent, etc.
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Comments
Had he pointed a gun at the candidate and family ...
I somehow doubt he would be released on personal recognizance.
If I ever really want to threaten or kill someone with a deadly weapon, remind me to get behind the wheel.
Thankfully for all of us you
Thankfully for all of us you only ride a bike.
Nope. I drive too.
And when I do, I respect the fact that I am operating potentially lethal heavy machinery - to the point that my husband, native that he is, accuses me of harassing other motorists by ... GOING THE SPEED LIMIT and ...(horrors) OBEYING YIELD SIGNS and ... (gasp) STOPPING FOR YELLOW LIGHTS.
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Is no one else appalled that Mr. Lederman is still allowed to drive while awaiting trial, too? Somehow, I don't think they would have handed him his gun back had he used a gun instead of a car to harass the candidate and family.
I am so outraged!
Please know I am totally outraged and embarrassed to live in this town. These townies act live it is a pedigree to have been born in this town. That is always the question out of their mouth, were you “born” here. Turco was not, so apparently he was not welcome. I was not born here either. I hold an MBA, I give back to the community, I work with the disabled, I own a home & pay taxes – but the druggies and welfare recipients who were privileged enough to be “born” here and entitled to leach of the system get more respect.
Lederman must have felt he was entitled to take out Turco, his children & his pregnant wife.
This place is like it’s very own version of the Stepford Wives and you have no clue what I am talking about unless you are looking at it from my side.
Now, had the DA been OK with releasing on
him on personal recognizance, but the judge imposed $5,000 bail, you can bet the defendant would have appealed that bail ruling.
Yet the DA can't appeal the judges ruling to release him on personal recognizance instead of imposing the bail the DA's office recommended.
Something is clearly wrong with this picture.