Hearings continued in domestic case
Trials are still pending for Luis Berrios and partner Jason Mendez, who were arrested during a domestic disturbance and contend that police officers were unnecessarily rough and used homophobic and racist language.
Berrios and Mendez, who were arrested at the end of December on assault charges, were supposed to face preliminary hearings at the end of last month, but they were postponed because of snow. Mendez had his the hearing Feb. 3 and is scheduled for a trial at 10 a.m. Feb. 28 in Room 606 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St.
Berrios’ proceeding was rescheduled for Feb. 14, but Mendez, who is still in police custody because the arrest violated his probation, and who was supposed to testify, was not present.
Berrios’ trial was subsequently scheduled for 10 a.m. March 29 in Room 906 of the CJC.
The pair alleges that several officers who responded to a neighbor’s call reporting their fight used the word “fag” numerous times in addition to excessive force. The Police Advisory Commission and Internal Affairs Bureau are both investigating.
Berrios said Internal Affairs interviewed him earlier this month. The head of Internal Affairs, Deputy Commissioner Stephen Johnson, who is also the police LGBT liaison, said the bureau has 75 days from the date the complaint was filed, in this case Jan. 4, to render judgment.
DVLF to thank volunteers
LGBT grantmaking agency Delaware Valley Legacy Fund will host a community event to thank its current and previous volunteers and raise awareness about volunteer opportunities.
The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 24 at CITYSPACE, 2200 Walnut St.
Representatives from DVLF committees will be on hand to explain the work they do, and newly appointed executive director John Moeller will also be available to meet with community members.
For more information, contact Moeller at 215-563-6417 ext. 117 or [email protected].
Fair for LGBT youth
The Educational Justice Coalition will host its second-annual LGBTQ Youth Empowerment Fair from 4-6:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
The event, themed “One-Stop Shop,” is meant to provide youth with a vast array of resources for educational, health and social-service organizations. LGBT-friendly colleges, trade schools and employers will also be in attendance.
The free fair will feature special guest speaker and anti-bullying advocate Joey Kemmerling and will be followed by the “Fiercest Life Youth Party” from 7-9 p.m. in the center’s ballroom. Admission to the party is $5 or $3 if guests attended the fair. Free rapid HIV testing will be provided at the event, and those who get tested will receive free admission to the party.
Organizations interested in having a table at the event should contact Quincy Greene at 215-985-6757 or [email protected].
Gay travel expo
AAA South Jersey will host its third-annual Gay Pride Day Travel Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 5 at the Collingswood Senior Center, 300 Collings Ave., Collingswood, N.J.
The show, themed “Taste the Travel,” will showcase gay-friendly travel packages, cruise vacations and other vendors.
The free event is open to both AAA members and non-members and will feature door prizes.
For more information, call 1-888-577-9AAA ext. 2600.
Craigslist trial continued
A man accused of defrauding several gay men in an Internet scheme is scheduled for trial next month.
Michael Daniels will stand trial at 9 a.m. March 3 in Room 502 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St. The trial has been continued several times in the past few months.
Daniels was arrested in October 2009 and charged with numerous counts of impersonating a police officer, kidnapping, burglary, theft, conspiracy, false imprisonment and other charges.
Daniels allegedly responded to several advertisements placed on Craigslist by men looking for sex with other men and, dressed as a police officer, threatened to arrest the men for not verifying his age unless they paid him.
— Jen Colletta