The man accused of robbing migrant workers while he distracted them with prostitutes was on trial Tuesday for the felony charges of second degree robbery and two counts of second-degree burglary and the misdemeanors of unlawful imprisonment and promoting prostitution.
Clarence Brown, 56, formerly of Sodus, sat silently in his chair as the victims, witnesses and codefendants took the stand to testify that Clarence in 2005 allegedly stole CDs, DVDs, Play Stations and other items from migrant workers' apartments while they were in their bedrooms with a prostitute they purchased from Clarence for $20.
Brown's attorney, Samuel Tamburo, said he questioned the strength and the validity of some of the witnesses' testimony.
“Two of the women were his codefendants who were offered deals to testify,” Tamburo said. “I think that calls into question their credibility.”
Tamburo made his view evident when he cross examined codefendant Kelly Finnerty, 26, who is facing two to four years in state prison for possessing a forged check in another case.
Tamburo pointed out Finnerty was also charged with making a false statement to police officers when she was arrested with the forged check.
Shannon Terwilliger, another codefendant, also testified that she saw Brown steal items from the workers after selling them sex with a prostitute.
Tamburo said he believed some of the testimony between the two women did not match up when they recounted the events that occurred that night.
During the trial the two women said they had traveled to two migrant camps, but the women appeared to have a different recollection of the order in which the events took place on New Year's Eve.
The prosecution and the defense also struggled through gaps in the women's memories about the events that happened that night.
“I do not recall,” Finnerty replied when asked what she did after robbing the migrant workers. “We possibly went to Rochester, I know we did that a lot but I don't recall that night in particular. That was three years ago. Three years later I don't recall half the things, I'm just trying to put it behind me.”
Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said he believed the migrant workers were targeted because they were afraid of being deported or the language barrier prevented them from communicating effectively with law enforcement.
During the trial, Tamburo said the Spanish interpreter had done a good job of translating the questions clearly. The attorney's questions would have to be directed to the interpreter who would direct the question to the witness in Spanish before restating the witnesses' answer in English for the jury and the attorney.
The trial will continue Wednesday morning when the defense gets a chance to present its evidence.
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
Brown's attorney, Samuel Tamburo, said he questioned the strength and the validity of some of the witnesses' testimony.
“Two of the women were his codefendants who were offered deals to testify,” Tamburo said. “I think that calls into question their credibility.”
Tamburo made his view evident when he cross examined codefendant Kelly Finnerty, 26, who is facing two to four years in state prison for possessing a forged check in another case.
Tamburo pointed out Finnerty was also charged with making a false statement to police officers when she was arrested with the forged check.
Shannon Terwilliger, another codefendant, also testified that she saw Brown steal items from the workers after selling them sex with a prostitute.
Tamburo said he believed some of the testimony between the two women did not match up when they recounted the events that occurred that night.
During the trial the two women said they had traveled to two migrant camps, but the women appeared to have a different recollection of the order in which the events took place on New Year's Eve.
The prosecution and the defense also struggled through gaps in the women's memories about the events that happened that night.
“I do not recall,” Finnerty replied when asked what she did after robbing the migrant workers. “We possibly went to Rochester, I know we did that a lot but I don't recall that night in particular. That was three years ago. Three years later I don't recall half the things, I'm just trying to put it behind me.”
Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said he believed the migrant workers were targeted because they were afraid of being deported or the language barrier prevented them from communicating effectively with law enforcement.
During the trial, Tamburo said the Spanish interpreter had done a good job of translating the questions clearly. The attorney's questions would have to be directed to the interpreter who would direct the question to the witness in Spanish before restating the witnesses' answer in English for the jury and the attorney.
The trial will continue Wednesday morning when the defense gets a chance to present its evidence.
Staff writer Nate Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or nathan.robson@lee.net
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