ALBANY — Civil rights activist Alice Green and an Albany County public defender launched a campaign Wednesday asking District Attorney David Soares to show mercy and drop the criminal case against Jordan Young, who was shot by a city officer as he charged at Albany police while allegedly armed with a knife.
The “Just Mercy for Jordan Campaign” is expected to involve county residents and college students sending Soares’ office letters and emails. as well as social media posts, letters to newspapers, community presentations, a 3,000-signature petition and an April 19 rally outside the district attorney’s office, according to a news release.
Young, 33, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is bi-polar, has undergone 23 surgeries since being shot in the torso near Madison and New Scotland avenues on Jan. 24, 2022, according to Green, executive director of the Center for Law and Justice in Albany, and Assistant Public Defender Rebekah Sokol, who represents Young.
Young, who has a 24th surgery upcoming, is a father of two small children. He “continues to need specialized physical and mental health treatment and care that is not available in prison,” the release said.
“In the aftermath of this traumatic event, Jordan has continued to face unnecessary emotional stress on top of his existing mental health challenges,” the release stated. “Several state and national civil rights organizations have been apprised of the serious nature of this case in which District Attorney Soares by his actions threatens to impose what would amount to a death sentence on Jordan Young.”
Among the community leaders signing the petition were Albany Common Council President Corey Ellis, Council members Derek Johnson, Gabriella Romero, Sergio Adams and Albany County Legislators Bill Clay, Sam Fein and Merton Simpson.
Darrell Camp, a spokesman…
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