Two lawyers who chucked Molotov cocktails at NYPD vehicles during the 2020 George Floyd protests took a plea deal in Brooklyn federal court Thursday that could net them up to five years behind bars — or no time, depending on a judge’s decision.
Colinford Mattis and Urooj Rahman blew kisses and waved to their friends as they walked into federal court Thursday. Rahman’s ankle monitor was visible under her pants.
They pleaded guilty before Judge Brian Cogan to charges of conspiracy to commit arson and making and possessing an unregistered destructive device.
“If you don’t like the sentence, you won’t be able to withdraw your guilty plea,” Cogan warned the two lawyers, who will be automatically disbarred, and must also pay more than $30,000 restitution.
“Bottom line … you’re not going to know with any certainty what the sentencing will be.”
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The duo initially faced up to life in prison. Rahman, 31 at the time of the May 30, 2020, protest, tossed a Bud Light bottle filled with gasoline into a parked NYPD car outside Brooklyn’s 88th Precinct, setting it ablaze, investigators said.
Mattis, 32 at the time, was Rahman’s getaway driver. When officers stopped their van, they found the makings of another Molotov cocktail in the back seat, along with a gasoline container.
After spending weeks in jail, Mattis and Rahman have spent nearly two years on home confinement.
“I deeply regret my actions,” Rahman said after her guilty plea. “I wish I had made different choices.”
“I wish I had made different choices that night,” Mattis said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Richardson said the government is recommending they spend five years in prison.
Earlier this month, prosecutors in the Brooklyn U.S. Attorney’s office steeply lowered the amount of prison time they were seeking — a decision decried by the Police Benevolent Association.
Both suspects said Thursday they were undergoing psychiatric care, and are taking several medications. Rahman said she has been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and mood instability, while Mattis said he spent a month at an in-patient rehab in May 2021 to treat alcoholism and depression.
Rahman is due back for sentencing on Sept. 29, and Mattis’ sentencing day is Oct. 5.
Neither they nor their supporters in court commented to reporters Thursday.
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Colinford Mattis and Urooj Rahman—hard to associate those names with US law.
These two clowns are just what the legal profession needs to prop up its stellar reputation.
They should forever be barred from practicing law and completely disbarred.
Robert Kahlcke, they are going to be disbarred.
And after facing life imprisonment, a five year stretch in prison is a hand slap. They deserve at least 10 years for attempted manslaughter as well as the possession and use of an illegal incendiary device.
Quite frankly, any of those who used Molotov cocktails during the riots over the last few years deserve long sentences, not to be excused and let off to go on their merry ways. Their merry ways are violent chaos and destruction in their protests against the Rule of Law and the Constitution.
They are protesting Civilization and Civility. So prison should be a good fit for them.
TO The left, this is a badge of honor.
BUT since this IS NY, i fear the judge won’t give them any jail time.
That is, unfortunately, a distinct possibility. But. We can only hope there is some Justice.
As I said earlier, after facing the possibility of Life, a five year prison stretch would be a hand slap.
But at least it would be something.
As I said, We can only hope.
It took 2 years to bring these two idiot female dogs to justice? When the dummycrats tried to impeach Trump it took only a year after they stole the 2018 mid terms. It appears to me these two are only dis barred in New York. Why not country wide? And only 5 years? I thought attempted murder was more like 10 years. Throwing a fire bomb at a cop car with the cops still inside is attempted murder to me.
SOUNDS like attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, to me too.. WHICH SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED murder in the first degree.
Yes. Yes it does sound like attempted murder. Or at the very least, attempted manslaughter and aggravated assault with an illegal incendiary device, which should have landed them a good 10 to 15 years in prison.
But as you said, Ituser, it is New York, and we’ve seen how Justice there has been perverted since Rudy Giuliani was Mayor.
“Could”, but will they serve any time?
The Fed’s, at the request of the “Jan 6th HeadHunter Commission”, in the meantime pull Trump Adviser, Peter Navarro off a plane in handcuffs and leg irons. (Linc Below)
https://www.businessinsider.com/navarro-arrested-at-nashville-airport-related-defying-jan-6-committee-2022-6
Boo effing Hoo. Yeah they should have made better decisions. Alcohol and drug rehab? DUH. Decisions have consequences. Suck it up and take the punishment. Life altering. Maybe or maybe not. For sure losing the Lawyer accreditation. Chose another profession after you get out. Like John Wayne is often quoted as saying, “Life is hard. Life is harder when your stupid”. Hard to determine if they’re truly repentant. Giving them a light sentence or none will send a bad message to other thugs. And result in more of the same behavior we’ve witnessed over many years.
The Duke always seemed to have the right thing to say about stuff, and in very plain and simple language so even Democrats could understand it.
Don’t you dare put these two degenerate baby killers in prison. Put them in a car and lock the doors for about 10 minutes, and then throw a Molotov cocktail at the car. EQUITY, right?
Scum bags! Throw away the key!
my guess, since this is NYC, they will get off with community service