Blood in the Water

by Thompson, Heather Ann

  50. Karl Pfeil, Testimony, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. II, December 19, 1991, A-1302.

  51. Ibid.

  52. Ibid.

  53. Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Argued July 16, 1998, Decided August 3, 1999, 6.

  54. William Glaberson, “Echoes of Violence: Attica’s Story Retold in Court,” New York Times, December 10, 1991.

  55. Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Argued July 16, 1998, decided August 3, 1999, 7.

  56. Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. II, January 9, 1992, A-1471.

  57. Ibid.

  58. Ibid., A-1472.

  59. Ibid., A-1474.

  60. Ibid., A-1616.

  61. Andrew Yarrow, “Attica Jury Still Out, but Judge Plans Holiday,” New York Times, January 15, 1992.

  62. For a transcript of the drama before Elfvin’s vacation departure, see: Attorneys’ exchanges with Judge Elfvin, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, January 14, 1991, A-1627.

  63. Ibid., A-1627.

  64. Ibid., A-1627.

  65. Ibid., A-1632.

  66. Judge Michael Telesca, conversation with author, Buffalo, New York, August 13, 2004.

  67. Ibid.

  68. Ibid.

  69. Jury, Outraged letter to Judge John Elfvin, January 22, 1992, in: Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, January 14, 1991, A-1748–49.

  70. Ibid.

  71. Ibid.

  72. Ibid.

  73. Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Argued July 16, 1998, Decided August 3, 1999, 15.

  74. Cunningham, Deutsch, and Fink, “Remembering Attica Forty Years Later.”

  75. William Glaberson, “Unanswered in Attica Case: High Level Accountability,” New York Times, February 6, 1992.

  76. Ibid.

  50. DELAY TACTICS

  1. Elizabeth M. Fink, Affirmation (affidavit), Notice of Plaintiff Motion to Amend Complaint, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, March 1, 1995, in the papers of Elizabeth M. Fink, Brooklyn, New York, A-1931.

  2. Ibid., A-1932.

  3. Ibid., A-1827.

  4. Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, January 16, 1992.

  5. John T. Elfvin, Order and Memorandum, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, A-1751.

  6. Ibid., A-1760.

  7. Ibid.

  8. Ellen Yacknin, conversation with author, October 16, 2004.

  9. Ibid.

  10. Elizabeth Fink, conversation with author, February 23, 2014.

  11. See: “Attica Questionnaire,” Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, A-2080–89.

  12. Elizabeth Fink, Letter to Judge John T. Elfvin, Subject: “Lists of the appropriate six categories and the living plaintiffs who fall into each list,” April 22, 1994, in: Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, A-2090–2109.

  13. John Elfvin, Letter “to all counsel,” November 17, 1994, in Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, argued July 16, 1998, decided August 3, 1999.

  14. Elizabeth Fink, Letter to Judge Elfvin, December 2, 1994, in Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, A-1829.

  15. Ibid.

  16. Ibid., A-1831.

  17. Ibid.

  18. During the years between the liability trials and the damages trials countless motions were filed to get this case going. See: Notice of Motion of Plaintiffs Setting Date for Immediate Damages Trials and Excluding Issues of Liability, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, January 26, 1995, A-1805; Irving Maghran filed his own opposition to this motion: Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, February 13, 1995, A-1840; Oral Argument on Plaintiffs Motion Setting Date for Immediate Damages Trials and Excluding Issues of Liability, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, February 24, 1995, A-1847; Petition for Writ of Mandamus of Plaintiff, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, June 20, 1995, A-1875; Honorable John T. Elfvin, Response to Plaintiff’s Petition for a Writ of Mandamus, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, October 25, 1995, A-2066; Second Circuit Court Order Denying Plaintiff’s Petition for a Writ of Mandamus, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, November 16, 1995, A-2113.

  19. Herbie Scott Dean, aka Akil Al-Jundi, Deposition, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. III, August 10, 1994, 11.

  20. Ibid., 28.

  21. Ibid., 45.

  22. David J. Barry, MD, Report on patient Ezell Vance, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, October 12, 1994, A-2158–60.

  23. Also: Stephen S. Teich, MD, Report on Daniel Sheppard, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, October 13, 1994, A-2151–56.

  24. Elizabeth Fink, Letter to Honorable Michael A. Telesca, Chief Judge, Rochester, New York, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, February 25, 1992, A-1823.

  25. Michael Telesca, conversation with author, August 13, 2004.

  26. Honorable Michael A. Telesca, Letter to Counsel, February 26, 1992, A-2110.

  27. Telesca, conversation with author, August 13, 2004.

  28. Ibid.

  29. Ibid.

  30. Ibid.

  31. Fink, conversation with author, February 23, 2014.

  32. Ibid.

  33. Ibid.

  34. Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, argued July 16, 1998, decided August 3, 1999, 9.

  51. THE PRICE OF BLOOD

  1. Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V.

  2. Plaintiffs Opening Statement, Frank Smith Damages Trial. Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. IV, May 29, 1997, A-2323–25.

  3. Mitch Banas, Statement, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. IV, May 29, 1997, A-2333.

  4. Ibid., A-2912.

  5. Frank Smith, Testimony, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. IV, May 29, 1997, A-2353–54.

  6. Ibid., A-2355–56.

  7. Ibid., A-2356.

  8. Ibid., A-2357.

  9. Ibid., A-2359.

  10. Ibid., A-2366.

  11. Ibid., A-2363.

  12. Ibid., A-2365.

  13. Ibid., A-2371–72.

  14. Ibid., A-2373.

 
15. Ibid., A-2374.

  16. Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. II, Bl.

  17. Frank Smith, Testimony, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. IV, May 29, 1997, A-2376.

  18. Ibid., A-2378.

  19. Ibid., A-2380.

  20. Ibid., A-2381.

  21. Ibid., A-2383.

  22. Ibid., A-2384.

  23. Ibid., A-2386.

  24. Ibid., A-2389.

  25. Ibid., A-2393.

  26. Ibid.

  27. Ibid., A-2396.

  28. Ibid., A-2399.

  29. Ibid.

  30. Ibid., A-2137.

  31. Ibid., A-2367.

  32. Ibid.

  33. Richard G. Dudley, Jr., MD, Medical Report: Psychiatric Evaluation of Frank “Big Black” Smith, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, November 11, 1994, A-2132.

  34. Ibid., A-2134.

  35. Ibid., A-2137.

  36. Ibid., A-2140.

  37. John Elfvin instructions to the Jury, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, A-3071.

  38. Ronald Dill, Testimony, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. IV, A-2326.

  39. Testimony related to Big Black’s treatment on the day of the retaking in D Yard, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, A-3032.

  40. Plaintiffs Closing Statement, Frank Smith Damages Trial. Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, June 4, 1997, A-3036.

  41. John Elfvin instructions to the Jury, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, A-3086.

  42. Ibid., A-3066.

  43. Ibid., A-3067.

  44. Ibid., A-3078.

  45. Verdict, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V., June 5, 1997, A-3086.

  46. Dennis Cunningham, Michael Deutsch, and Elizabeth Fink, “Remembering Attica Forty Years Later” Prison Legal News (September 2011).

  47. Plaintiffs Opening Statement, Brosig Damages Trial. Deferred Joint Appendix, Herbert Blyden et al. v. Vincent Mancusi, et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, June 23, 1997, A-3161.

  48. Ibid., A-3163–64.

  49. Ibid., A-3164–65.

  50. Ibid., A-3166–67.

  51. Ibid., A-3180.

  52. Ibid.

  53. Ibid., A-3181.

  54. Ibid., A-3195.

  55. Ibid., A-3198–99.

  56. Ibid., A-3594.

  57. Ibid., A-3596.

  58. Ibid., A-3598–99.

  59. Ibid., A-3600.

  60. Plaintiffs Closing Statement, Brosig Damages Trial. Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, June 26, 1997, Vol. V, A-3591.

  61. Defense, Closing Statement, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, A-3614.

  62. Ibid., A-3615.

  63. Ibid., A-3617–22.

  64. Ibid.

  65. Case Verdict, Deferred Joint Appendix, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, Vol. V, A-3663.

  66. Mark Hamblett, “Attica Civil Rights Verdict Overturned,” New York Law Journal August 4, 1999.

  67. Ibid.

  68. Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, argued July 16, 1998, decided August 3, 1999, 14.

  69. Ibid.

  70. Ibid.

  71. Hamblett, “Attica Civil Rights Verdict Overturned.”

  72. Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 186 F. 3d 252, Docket No. 97-2912, argued July 16, 1998, decided August 3, 1999, 14.

  73. Ibid.

  74. Ellen Yacknin, conversation with author, October 16, 2004.

  52. DEAL WITH THE DEVIL

  1. Ellen Yacknin, conversation with author, October 16, 2004.

  2. Michael Telesca, conversation with author, August 13, 2004.

  3. Ibid.

  4. Ibid.

  5. Ibid.

  6. Ibid.

  7. Ibid.

  8. John Elfvin, conversation with author, August 9, 2004.

  9. Ibid.

  10. Ibid.

  11. Ibid.

  12. Ibid.

  13. Ibid.

  14. Ibid.

  15. Yacknin, conversation with author, October 16, 2004.

  16. Telesca, conversation with author, August 13, 2004.

  17. Ibid.

  18. Ibid.

  19. Ibid.

  20. Ibid.

  21. Ibid.

  22. Ibid.

  23. Michael A. Telesca, Decision and Order, Final Approval of Settlement and Distribution of Settlement, Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., United States District Court, Western District of New York, Buffalo, New York, 113 F.Supp.2d 441 (2000), NO. CIV-75-132, August 28, 2000, 7.

  24. Ibid.

  25. Ibid.

  26. Ibid.

  27. Ibid.

  28. Ibid.

  29. Ibid., 8.

  30. Ibid., 8.

  31. David Chen, “Compensation Set on Attica Uprising,” New York Times, August 29, 2000.

  32. Telesca, Decision and Order, Final Approval of Settlement and Distribution of Settlement, Final Summaries. Akil Al-Jundi et al. v. Vincent Mancusi et al., 113 F.Supp.2d 441 (2000), NO. CIV-75-132, August 28, 2000.

  33. Ibid.

  34. Ibid.

  35. Ibid.

  36. Ibid.

  37. Ibid.

  38. Ibid.

  39. Ibid.

  40. Ibid.

  41. Ibid.

  42. Ibid.

  43. Ibid.

  44. Ibid.

  45. Ibid.

  46. Ibid.

  47. Yacknin, conversation with author, October 16, 2004.

  PART X · A FINAL FIGHT

  53. FAMILY FURY

  1. David W. Chen, “NY Agrees to Settle Lawsuit over Attica Prison Riot in ’71—$8 Million Awarded to 1,281 Inmates, Who Must Approve Deal,” Dallas Morning News, January 5, 2000; “Attica Inmates Receive Money from Settlement,” San Diego Union-Tribune, December 3, 2000; “Attica Riot Settlement on Way to Inmates,” St. Petersburg Times, December 3, 2000.

  2. Tom Wicker, “Public Needs to Know How State Has Treated Widows, Survivors of 1971 Attica Riot,” The Daily News (Batavia, New York), August 29, 2000.

  3. Dan Herbeck and Michael Beebe, “An American Tragedy Defying Closure—A Judge’s Allocation of $8 Million Among 502 Former Inmates Abused—After the 1971 Attica Prison Riot Underscored the Difficulty of Putting ‘A Dollar Value on Human Suffering,’ ” Buffalo News, August 29, 2000.

  4. Herbeck and Beebe, “An American Tragedy Defying Closure.”

  5. Jim Memmott, “Attica’s Pain Still Lingers for Many,” Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), January 9, 2000.

  6. Ibid.

  7. Gary Craig, “Lawyer Fought Long, Hard for Attica Hostages, Kin,” Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York), September 13, 2005.

  8. Ibid.

  9. Ibid.

  10. Ibid.

  11. Ibid.

  12. Ibid.

  13. Ibid.

  14. Christine Schrader Quinn, Testimony, Attica Task Force Hearing, July 30, 2002, 172.

  15. Ibid.

  16. Dee Quinn Miller, conversation with author, August 11, 2004.

  17. Ibid.

  18. Ibid.

  19. Ibid.

  2
0. Ibid.

  21. Ibid.

  22. Ibid.

  23. Herbeck and Beebe, “An American Tragedy Defying Closure.”

  24. Ibid.

  25. Jim Memmott, “The Attica Aftermath,” Democrat and Chronicle, September 26, 2000.

  26. Wicker, “Public Needs to Know How State Has Treated Widows, Survivors of 1971 Attica Riot.”

  27. Dee Quinn Miller, conversation with author, August 11, 2004.

  28. Gary Horton, conversation with author, Batavia, New York, August 12, 2004.

  29. Ibid.

  30. Jennifer Gonnerman, “Remembering Attica,” Village Voice, September 5–11, 2001.

  31. Clyde Haberman, “No Solace for Widow of Attica,” New York Times, February 22, 2000.

  32. Gonnerman, “Remembering Attica.”

  33. Ibid.

  34. Horton, conversation with author, August 12, 2004.

  35. Memmott, “The Attica Aftermath.”

  36. Ellen Yacknin, conversation with author, October 16, 2004.

  37. Horton, conversation with author, August 12, 2004.

  38. Ibid.

  54. MANIPULATED AND OUTMANEUVERED

  1. “Statement of Abe Levine: Director of the State Office of Employee Relations,” Press Release, State of New York Executive Chamber, September 24, 1971, Investigation and interview files, 1971–1972, New York (State), Special Commission on Attica, 15855-90, Box 93, New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

  2. Ibid.

  3. “39 Ex-Attica Hostages Seeking Special Benefits,” New York Times, October 31, 1971.

  4. David Staba, “Survivors, Families Cope with Attica Riot After Three Decades,” Niagara Falls Reporter, May 14, 2002.

  5. Richard Fabian, Testimony, Ardith Monteleone v. New York State Attica Correctional Facility, Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, Third Department, 141 A.D.2d 938 (N.Y. App. Div. 1988), January 22, 1986, 3023.

  6. Jennifer Gonnerman, “Remembering Attica,” Village Voice, September 5–11, 2001.

  7. Staba, “Survivors, Families Cope with Attica Riot After Three Decades.”

  8. Ibid.

  9. Ibid.

  10. Richard Fabian, Testimony, Ardith Monteleone v. New York State Attica Correctional Facility, 141 A.D.2d 938 (N.Y. App. Div. 1988), January 22, 1986, 3066.

  11. “Fact Sheet #2 from Attica,” September 16, 1971, Lieutenant H. Steinbaugh Papers.