A Brooklyn judge, known for his controversial decisions, has given a lenient treatment to a teenager associated with a gang who was facing serious charges, including attempted murder. This judge also stirred up concern when he pulled out his own firearm during a court session, as reported.
Jhdae Beckles, 19, was released last year after his arrest for carrying a loaded 9mm handgun. Just a month later, he was involved in a gang-related drive-by shooting that injured bystanders, according to law enforcement sources.
Despite this, Judge Jeffrey Gershney decided last month to grant Beckles the status of a youthful offender, allowing him to return to the streets after over a year, all while prosecutors objected strongly.
“Young people often make poor decisions,” Gershney told Beckles during a court appearance on July 15. He likened the situation to touching a hot stove—one needs to learn the hard way to understand the consequences.
Gershney expressed his belief in compassion and second chances, stating that he felt Beckles deserved another opportunity.
He indicated that he would recommend a sentence of 1 to 3 or 4 years for Beckles, as opposed to the six years suggested by the district attorney.
Some law enforcement officials expressed disbelief, questioning why a judge would overlook the rise in violent crime by likening it to touching a hot stove. They voiced concerns about the repeated incidents of gun violence.
Gershney, who was appointed to the Criminal Court by former Mayor de Blasio in 2019, had already raised eyebrows this month when he displayed his own gun during a different court hearing.
At an August 5 session, he pulled out a bag resembling the gun that had been found with another suspect, claiming it was part of an experiment to understand the situation better. His actions were met with objections from the prosecutor, which he dismissed, insisting on understanding the matter at hand.
The State Court Administration is currently reviewing details of Gershney’s actions, including the gun display, while defending his discretions in Beckles’s case.
Beckles, who is connected to the Folk Nation gang, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm last September. Following this incident, he was released on bail in November and was involved in another shooting weeks later, where police recovered multiple shell casings.
He is set to be declared a youthful offender in January, but his lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, emphasized that Beckles was still accountable for his actions despite his difficult upbringing in Brownsville. Montgomery argued that Beckles deserved another chance, paralleling his own path towards law school.
The judge acknowledged the challenges Beckles has faced, noting his strong family ties and lack of prior criminal history before these incidents.
Ultimately, Gershney’s decisions reflect a blend of leniency and understanding, reminiscent of the difficult paths many young individuals navigate.
