Judge acquits Democratic congressional candidate arrested at New York immigration court protest

NEW YORK (AP) — Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander was acquitted Thursday of criminal charges related to his arrest last September at a protest inside a building that houses one of New York City's immigration courts.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo delivered his verdict exonerating Lander a day after presiding over a one-day trial in Manhattan.

"I find the defendant not guilty," Ricardo said after reading a lengthy analysis of the evidence and Lander's testimony. Lander jubilantly hugged his lawyers immediately after the proceeding ended.

Outside the courthouse, Lander, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary, said he was moved by the judge's "thoughtful, thorough review and ruling in this case."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/judge-acquits-democratic-congressional-candidate-154606009.html