Was This a Case of Jury Nullification Working in NYC?

Jury nullification occurs in a trial when a jury reaches a verdict contrary to the weight of the evidence and contrary to the letter of the law. For more information visit Fija.org

It looks like the jury in one New York City gun case may have decided to vote according to what they feel is right, as opposed to what the judge, DA, and prosecutors say is illegal.

The jury took only thirty minutes to come to a not guilty verdict, acquitting Jonathan Ryan of any crime for having his legally purchased and registered Florida handgun inside New York City limits.

The 29-year-old had been indicted for criminal weapons possession and he admittedly motored into Manhattan on Feb. 21, 2010, with a 9mm pistol stored in his truck’s glove compartment.

The suspect could have faced 3½ years in prison had jurors convicted him for his ill-fated journey into Gotham.

I personally feel this should have never gone to trial, as the 2nd Amendment guarantees us the “right to keep and bear arms,” free from any government infringement. Unfortunately, the police state of NY feels differently (apparently unbound by the supposed “Supreme Law of the Land”). Here is what the District Attorney, who thinks law abiding citizens should not be able to defend themselves with guns, had to say:

DA Cy Vance was unapologetic about his office’s failed prosecution.

“We respect the jury’s verdict in this case, of course, and thank them for their service. But we will continue to protect our community from those who illegally possess loaded guns in Manhattan. Any possession of a loaded firearm in this metropolitan area has the potential for deadly consequences, to our residents and visitors alike.”

“Guns brought illegally into New York City – for any reason – violate well-established state law and are a threat to our public safety,’’ he said

Well he might be right, let’s take a look at Mr. anti-2nd amendment himself, NYC Mayor Bloomberg. Mr. Bloomberg, who is the real criminal, you or me? I cannot carry my legal firearm in NYC, but you and your staff can. And recently, one of your employees’ guns, “officially” permitted in order to protect you, was just used in the attempted murder of an innocent, and unarmed (because of NYC’s strict guns laws) person.

“NYPD officer Leopold McLean, who had long worked on security detail for Mayor Bloomberg, has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting his girlfriend’s ex-lover and then trying to cover it up … Other charges against McLean include assault, criminal use of a firearm and reckless endangerment …”

Ouch! That doesn’t look good does it? Hiring murders to protect yourself, while telling us we can’t protect ourselves. I just hope more juries vote like this one did, and push to nullify the oppressive laws that politicians like Bloomberg support. Great work citizens of NY!