Language Barrier: Lack of understanding prompts fight hearing delay

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Jul 16, 2010 at 12:35 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 16, 2010 at 8:05 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Six alleged gang members charged in a fight that left a young girl injured are going to have to wait another week for their felony hearing in Utica City Court. Friday's proceeding had to be postponed...because the defense attorneys couldn't understand a single word the six defendants were saying.

The fight happened Tuesday afternoon near the corner of Hammond Ave. and Eagle Street in east Utica. Police believe the six teens are affiliated with the local 'Asian Boyz' gang.

Friday in Utica City Court, defense attorneys told the judge they couldn't communicate with their clients. The judge asked them to return to city court Friday, July 23rd, at which time he'd attempt to have all the required interpreters present. The defense attorneys say the language barrier and number of defendants present a huge challenge in this case.

"It's going to require an awful lot of additional court time, additional court effort an awful lot of additional time by all the defense attorneys because we're going to have to have an interpreter with us every time we have a communication with our clients," says attorney David Longeretta.
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