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Criminal Trial Expected in Road Rage Case

Sun, 10/25/2020 - 12:25
Edmond Chakmakian, center, with David Peralta and Mr. Peralta's mother, Jenny Mera, outside East Hampton Town Justice Court on Thursday.
Doug Kuntz

Outside East Hampton Town Justice Court on Thursday, friends and family members of David Peralta were seen and heard shouting words of support in Spanish. "David, amigo, estamos contigo" ("David, friend, we are with you"); "Que queremos? Justicia! Cuando? Ahora!" ("What do we want? Justice! When? Now!")

Minutes earlier, inside the courthouse, Justice Steven Tekulsky was presiding over a case in which 31-year-old Charles Streep is charged with felony assault following an alleged road rage altercation in East Hampton Village on Aug. 24. The incident ended in emergency surgery for Mr. Peralta, 18.

"This case is not being handled any differently than any other case," Justice Tekulsky told Mr. Peralta's supporters, some of whom have expressed confusion over the court process.

Thursday's court session was a routine meeting of attorneys, Justice Tekulsky explained. The defendant was not required to be present at the conference. Edmond Chakmakian, Mr. Peralta's lawyer, was in the courtroom. Andrew Weinstein, who will represent Mr. Streep, attended by way of video conference. The two agreed to a short adjournment, until Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. A criminal trial is expected; a civil complaint has been filed in New York City.

"Things don't get resolved in a day," Mr. Chakmakian told the group outside the courthouse. "There's no one to blame [for the delay]. The process has to take its time."

Mr. Chakmakian said he expects video footage of the incident to be released soon. Mr. Weinstein has said that the tape will show “incontrovertible evidence” that proves Mr. Streep "is innocent of these charges."

"The truth will come out. It always does," Mr. Weinstein said in a joint statement with Brian DeSesa, who is also representing Mr. Streep. "We remain confident that a full, fair, and impartial review of the evidence in the case will establish that Mr. Streep did not commit either of the crimes with which he has been charged."

On the Police Logs 07.10.25

“You need to get out of my room,” a man yelled as he walked into a Surf Lodge hotel room just before midnight on Friday, waking up a New York City woman who had been asleep in the bed. She asked him to test the entry code for the room and closed the door behind him. He left when he was unable to unlock the door.

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Felony Arrests in Sag Harbor

Two drivers were charged with felonies in Sag Harbor over the Fourth of July weekend.

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S.U.V.s Collide, Three Hurt

There were numerous minor fender-benders on local roads in the runup to the big holiday weekend, but only one was reported to have resulted in injuries.

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Seeking Volunteer Advocates

The nonprofit EAC Network is seeking volunteers for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in Suffolk County to work with families and children involved in abuse and neglect cases to represent children’s best interests.

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