Two of Newark Four’s Convictions Tossed

Jonathan Adams

Two of Newark Four’s Convictions Tossed

Do you remember the story of the four lesbians convicted for self-defense?Assaulted by a man in West Village for being lesbians, these Black women from Newark received 11 years in jail for protecting themselves against anti-gay violence. But last week, an appeals court heard two of the women’s cases and they were tossed out.

NEW YORK - A New York state appeals court has reversed the gang assault convictions of two of four New Jersey lesbians convicted of attacking a man who was stabbed after he made advances toward one of them.
The court vacated the conviction of 21-year-old Terrain Dandridge on Thursday and dismissed the indictment against her. She was sentenced last year to 3{ years in prison. She’s expected to be released within days.

The court also vacated the conviction of 26-year-old Renata Hill and sent it back for a new trial. Hill was sentenced to eight years. Her lawyer says she’s “delighted” by the ruling.

The appeals of the other two women are pending. Newsday.

These victories don't come easily. FIERCE, Human Rights Watch, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church, Sylvia Rivera Law Project and other organizations and individual activists worked tirelessly. I second Kenyon's thank you.

Posted at 10:14 AM, Jun 23, 2008 in LGBT | Permalink | View Comments