Hispanic activists are outraged at a judge?s decision to toss out three lesser charges in the death of an illegal immigrant.
Although ex-Mt. Kisco Police Officer George Bubaris is still charged with manslaughter in the death of Rene Perez, two counts of official misconduct and one count of unlawful imprisonment have been dropped.
Judge Lester Adler made the decision to drop the charges Wednesday, citing a lack of evidence. Now, the group Hispanics Across America is expressing its anger over Adler?s decision.
?It?s a slap in the face to all of us,? group president Fernando Mateo says. ?It?s unacceptable.?
Mateo says he can only hope the jury finds Bubaris guilty for the remaining manslaughter charge. ?I don?t know what the judge was thinking,? he says. ?But his actions were inappropriate.? Mateo also says he wants a different judge to take over the trial.
Bubaris is accused of driving Perez to Byram Lake Road in Bedford and delivering a fatal blow to his abdomen last April.
Testimony in the case against Bubaris will resume Friday.
News 12 Westchester reached out to Adler, but he was not allowed to comment on the matter since the case is still pending.
Judge tosses lesser charges in immigrant's death