Lakewood Rabbi Pleads Guilty – Police Officer Cleared

I suspect Nicole Robinson's lack of medical documentation for her charges of police brutality, her constantly shifting story and the lack of support she garnered outside the haredi community (Robinson is not Jewish), influenced Rabbi Bursztyn decision to admit his guilt rather than go to trial.

Haredim, including Rabbi Yudel Shain, claim there were many unnamed "witnesses" to support Rabbi Bursztyn's claim of police brutality. They also claim the same for Nicole Robinson. Haredim also claim the police and city "refused" to interview said witnesses for Officer Menck's Internal Affairs hearing. Yet, somehow, when these many "witnesses" could have to testified (but under oath and with the risk of perjury) and supported the rabbi's claims, the rabbi pleads guilty and no "witnesses" testify.

The Asbury Park Press reports:

A rabbi, whose altercation with police earlier this year sparked protests in Lakewood's Orthodox Jewish community, has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with the incident in Lakewood.

Rabbi Yosef Bursztyn, 63, of Sixth Street, Lakewood, pleaded guilty Tuesday to the disorderly persons offense before Superior Court Judge Edward J. Turnbach, who imposed $125 in fines, said Executive Assistant Prosecutor Ronald F. DeLigny. Bursztyn could have faced up to up to six months in jail and fine up to $1,000.

Bursztyn admitted he failed to comply with a directive of Lakewood Officer Erik Menck on June 26 while Menck was performing an official function, court documents said.

Police said Bursztyn reached inside Menck's patrol car after the officer had stopped the rabbi's niece for allegedly tailgaiting another vehicle.

Bursztyn's arrest sparked protests in Lakewood's Orthodox community. Menck was cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident.

If you have not yet done so, read my earlier coverage of this incident, especially the Lakewood Shopper's "report" on the Robinson affair. This haredi-owned tabloid has been shameless in its attempts to whip up hatred for the Lakewood Police.

It should also be noted that yesterday's (failed) rally to garner support for Robinson outside the haredi community was conveniently scheduled for the day before Rabbi Bursztyn's court appearance. Now, why would that be?

Comments

While I have thought from the beginning that what Rabbi Bursztyn did from the beginning was wrong and foolish, I'm not so sure what Robinson's case has to do with him pleading guilty.

[Lkwd Resident]

I don't think you get it. He plead guilty to disorderly persons offense. I think everyone would agree that offense was committed. What the many unnamed "witnesses" were disagreeing with, was the original slew of charges, which included assault on a police officer. The prosecutor obviously decided he didn't have that strong of a case to substantiate those claims, especially in light of the Robinson affair.

[yudel shain]

The witnesses are all "named witnesses".
Don't add another twist to the twisted pretzel.

The Rabbi plead guitlty "disobeying a police officer" which is a $60.00 +- fine.

Yudel Shain

[ma rabbi]

Why would you support an antisemetic and anti black cop over a Jewish rabbi? Dont you realize that this cop hates you too.

[Shmarya]

As frequently is the case, Rabbi yudel Shain is wrong.

Read the article. The rabbi made a PLEA BARGIN. He paid $125 in fines. He pleaded to OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.

He could have chosen a trial. His "witnesses" (who have NOT been named) could have testified. Further, if he won the trial, the rabbi would have been in very good position to file a civil suit against the township.

Prosecutors normally offer plea bargins in most cases. It's cheaper than a trial and it guarantees a conviction. Defendants trying to prove a point or who have much stong evidence in their favor often reject those plea agreements. If the rabbi had as many witnesses as you say, and if the facts were as you say, why would he not opt for a trial?

As a first-time offender who poses little if any danger of re-offending, he probably would have received probation and a fine, which could not exceed $1000.

Why cop a plea unless the "witnesses" are not as you claim?

[Shmarya]

MA Rabbi –

Why are you so sure the cop is anti-black and anti-Jewish? Got any facts?

Try reading my earlier posts on this affair (i.e., follow the links in this post). You'll see the evidence does NOT support Nicole Robinson and, from what we saw today, it does not support Rabbi Bursztyn either.

[yudel shain]

WHO IS NICOLE BROWN?

THE WITNESSES TO THE RABBI BURSZTYN MENCK EPISODE NOTIFIED THE POLICE THAT THEY WERE WITNESSES. THE POLICE SAid we'll contact you "THEY NEVER DID CONTACT ANY OF THEM" and they completed their internal affairs investigation and finding that menck was right.

You should correct your published errors.
Yudel Shain

[Shmarya]

If witnesses notified the police and then they were not contacted, a court of law is the best place to respond. Rabbi B had that choice, as outlined above. He chose to plead GUILTY.

Who is "Nicole Brown"? You mean, Nicole Robinson. Who she is is made clear in this post and in the posts linked in it.

[Shmarya]

Let me make this clear – if those "witnesses" exist, they could have testified in Rabbi B's behalf at the trial. Furhter, if the cops did not interview those witnesses before finding Menck acted correctly, even though they were aware of them, this would give Rabbi B a very strong case. Yet Rabbi B chose to accept a plea bargin and plead guilty to obstruction of justice.

Again, Rabbi B PLEADED GUILTY. And so he is.

[Shmarya]

Bring PROOF of the "witnesses," including names.

[Shmarya]

By the way, your brother is listed as approved by the new "American Board of Ritual Circumcision," even though he regularly does metzitza b'peh.

[jt]

You do use the name "Nicole Brown" in the second sentence of the second paragraph. I assume it is a typo and you meant "Nicole Robinson". That's what his above "who is nicole brown" (in admittedly annoying all caps...) was referring to.

[Shmarya]

Ooops! Thanks. I corrected it.

And Rabbi Shain, we are still waiting for proof of those witnesses.

[Lynn]

of course you say bad cop....not bad rabbi... but you DO NOT touch a police officer....by the way....Officer Menck happens to be a very highly respected person...truly a good cop...get your facts right. bottom line....just because you are a Rabbi....you are not above the law...or you do not run the town of Lakewood.