EFTA00013287.pdf
92.3 KB
Extraction Summary
4
People
2
Organizations
3
Locations
4
Events
1
Relationships
3
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Legal correspondence / court order (memo endorsed)
File Size:
92.3 KB
Summary
This document is a memo endorsed letter from NY Daily News reporter Stephen Rex Brown to Judge Katherine Polk Failla, dated December 29, 2020. Brown requests the unsealing of court transcripts related to Efrain Reyes, noting that Reyes recently died and is of public interest as the last person to share a cell with Jeffrey Epstein. Judge Failla ordered the letter filed to the docket and set a deadline of January 22, 2021, for parties to respond to the unsealing request.
People (4)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Rex Brown | Reporter |
Reporter for the New York Daily News requesting unsealing of documents
|
| Katherine Polk Failla | United States District Judge |
Recipient of the letter; issued the order directing the filing and response
|
| Efrain Reyes | Defendant |
Deceased; described as the last person to share a cell with Jeffrey Epstein
|
| Jeffrey Epstein | Mentioned |
Mentioned as having shared a cell with Efrain Reyes
|
Organizations (2)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| New York Daily News |
Employer of Stephen Rex Brown
|
|
| United States District Court |
Southern District of New York
|
Timeline (4 events)
2020-11-01
Death of Efrain Reyes (approximate date based on 'last month' in Dec 2020 letter)
Mother's apartment in the Bronx
Locations (3)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Address of the United States District Court
|
|
|
Location of Efrain Reyes's death at his mother's apartment
|
|
|
Location where the order was signed
|
Relationships (1)
Letter states Reyes 'was the last person to share a cell with Jeffrey Epstein.'
Key Quotes (3)
"Reyes died last month at his mother's apartment in the Bronx. He is the subject of public interest because he was the last person to share a cell with Jeffrey Epstein."Source
EFTA00013287.pdf
Quote #1
"To keep these materials sealed would create the appearance that the presumption is designed to avoid -- that the Court is keeping a matter of public concern under wraps."Source
EFTA00013287.pdf
Quote #2
"The Clerk of Court is directed to file this letter to the docket in case number 18-cr-454-12, United States v. Efrain Reyes."Source
EFTA00013287.pdf
Quote #3
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (2,459 characters)
Case 1:18-cr-00454-KPF Document 306 Filed 12/29/20 Page 1 of 2
The Honorable Katherine Polk Failla
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
40 Foley Square
NY, NY 10007
United States District Judge
Southern District of New York
40 Foley Square
NY, NY 10007
MEMO ENDORSED
December 29, 2020
Re: Unites States v. Efrain Reyes
18-cr-454
18-cr-454
Dear Judge Failla:
I respectfully write as a member of the public and reporter for the New York Daily News
covering the case of US v. Reyes, 18-cr-454.
I write in regard to Reyes's change of plea hearing on 8/26/19 and sentencing on 4/13/20.
covering the case of US v. Reyes, 18-cr-454.
I write in regard to Reyes's change of plea hearing on 8/26/19 and sentencing on 4/13/20.
I'm told the transcripts of both proceedings are under seal. There are also no sentencing
submissions from the government or Reyes's attorney posted on the docket.
submissions from the government or Reyes's attorney posted on the docket.
Reyes died last month at his mother's apartment in the Bronx. He is the subject of public
interest because he was the last person to share a cell with Jeffrey Epstein.
interest because he was the last person to share a cell with Jeffrey Epstein.
As you are aware, there exists a presumption of access to court proceedings and judicial
documents under both the common law and our Constitution. This presumption is overcome
solely when Your Honor makes a specific finding on the record that a compelling interest in
secrecy overrides this interest. Any restrictions of access must be narrowly tailored.
documents under both the common law and our Constitution. This presumption is overcome
solely when Your Honor makes a specific finding on the record that a compelling interest in
secrecy overrides this interest. Any restrictions of access must be narrowly tailored.
"The public and press have a qualified First Amendment right of access to plea and sentencing
proceedings." United States v. Alcantara, 396 F.3d 189, 191-2 (2d Cir. 2005).
proceedings." United States v. Alcantara, 396 F.3d 189, 191-2 (2d Cir. 2005).
The presumption of access is based on the view that secrecy erodes trust in courts and judges,
and access enhances trust. To keep these materials sealed would create the appearance that
the presumption is designed to avoid -- that the Court is keeping a matter of public concern
under wraps.
and access enhances trust. To keep these materials sealed would create the appearance that
the presumption is designed to avoid -- that the Court is keeping a matter of public concern
under wraps.
I respectfully request that your Honor unseal the proceedings mentioned above and order the
docketing of sentencing submissions for Reyes. Alternatively, I ask you make a finding on the
record explaining why they should remain under wraps.
docketing of sentencing submissions for Reyes. Alternatively, I ask you make a finding on the
record explaining why they should remain under wraps.
Thank you for your attention.
Stephen Rex Brown
NY DAILY NEWS
[REDACTED] 1
NY DAILY NEWS
[REDACTED] 1
EFTA00013287
Case 1:18-cr-00454-KPF Document 306 Filed 12/29/20 Page 2 of 2
The Clerk of Court is directed to file this letter to the docket in
case number 18-cr-454-12, United States v. Efrain Reyes. The parties
shall file a response, if any, to this letter seeking to unseal
certain filings on or by January 22, 2021.
case number 18-cr-454-12, United States v. Efrain Reyes. The parties
shall file a response, if any, to this letter seeking to unseal
certain filings on or by January 22, 2021.
Dated: December 29, 2020
New York, New York
New York, New York
SO ORDERED.
Katherine Polk Failla
HON. KATHERINE POLK FAILLA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
EFTA00013288
Discussion 0
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this epstein document