BUFFALO, NY - Darnell Jackson admits he sent a message to a judge, but he says it was not intent for it to be a threatening.
Earlier this month, Jackson says he wrote in a personal message to Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres,"can't believe how rude you were to me after I supported you, God don't like ugly, revenge is a mother. Have a blessed holiday season, cause I will."
Jackson was charged with second degree aggravated harassment. It is a misdemeanor. Jackson told 2 On Your Side that he was "totally shocked" when police came to his home to arrest him.
The eastside community activist is planning to file a complaint with the Committee on Judicial Misconduct in Rochester. His attorney Scott Lupiani confirms that all Buffalo City Court Judges have recused themselves from the case. A motion to move the case must be made. He believes the case could eventually be heard in the City of Tonawanda or Lackawanna. Jackson wants the case to remain Buffalo.
Channel 2's Claudine Ewing asked Jackson if he wants to apologize to the judge, his response, "I don't owe her no apology cause I didn't say nothing wrong. She owe me an apology, the way she treated me. All you got to do is get the transcripts."
He believes he upset the judge when he wrote a commentary in a local newspaper that more African-American judges should be in Buffalo City Court.
However, he says his comments stem from actions inside the courtroom after his case was dismissed. "After the case was dismissed I was really on my way out the courtroom and she started, I guess disciplining me. 'Oh you didn't stand up fast enough. Next time you come in my courtroom you better have respect, this that and the other," said Jackson.
The Judge is prohibited from publicly commenting on this case.
