Saturday, November 30, 2013

Judge Pamela Alexander Hands Down Light, "Downward Departure" Sentence To Armed Crack Dealer DeWayne "Dirty Finger" Day, And Law Abiding Residents In North Minneapolis Are Outraged, Calling For Alexander's Removal From The Bench...

Hennepin County Courts website filed photo, therefore public domain,
blog post by John Hoff

Last Friday, according to information posted by the Executive Director of Folwell and Weber-Camden Neighborhoods, the very powerful and well-respected Roberta Johnson Englund, a judicial outrage took place in the court of Judge Pamela Alexander, pictured above in the top photo. Citizens on the popular North Vent Facebook page are calling for removal of Judge Alexander from the bench and from any committees after she let a gun-wielding drug dealer off the hook with a stunningly light sentence.

DeWayne Day, who achieved momentary media fame in 2011 as a creepy bus driver accused of molesting a 5-year-old girl, but was never convicted, subsequently started himself a new career as a dealer in narcotics...

Click here for the most recent criminal complaint against Day, all of which he was convicted of doing.

On July 13 of this year, police served a warrant on 3747 Oliver Ave. N., the residence of DeWayne Day. They found a huge amount of crack cocaine (57.19 grams) a bit of regular cocaine (6.6 grams) and two weapons: a 12 gauge shotgun and a 44 Magnum. The 44 was stolen. Police also found a bit more than $1,000 and a digital scale.

None of this is in dispute or merely "alleged." Day pleaded guilty to all of this, but got off with a walk in the park thanks to Judge Alexander.

I'll get to THAT momentarily.

Besides the molestation charge, which DeWayne Day beat, the man has an extensive record of criminality and negative contact with the police. Click here for a CAPRS document showing police contacts by DeWayne Day. Here's a similar document, click here, only this one has the advantage of showing home addresses. 

Despite this extensive police contact, DeWayne Day has only two charges listed on MNCIS: one charge for driving without a license in his possession and another charge for an expired registration. I haven't been able to run his name in other states (Illinois, cough cough) so no telling if he has a record elsewhere.

QUITE INTERESTINGLY, looking at civil cases involving DeWayne Day I see that he sued a man named Collin Bertrand and won a civil judgment of more than $3,000. It's not clear how Day was associated with Bertrand to the point of suing Bertrand in court, but Collin Jerome Bertrand (8/13/62) has a rap sheet as long as my arm, as follows, not all of which may represent convictions.

But again, to emphasize, Day SUED Bertrand. It's not clear how he was ASSOCIATED with Bertrand.

But is Bertrand a bad character?

The WORST:


27-CR-91-018607
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
03/08/1991
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
THEFT BY SWINDLE OR TRICK Not applicable - GOC
27-CR-91-018332
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
03/20/1991
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY Not applicable - GOC
27-CR-92-051698
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
07/08/1992
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
THEFT, $501-2500 Aid/Abet - GOC
19-K0-95-000898
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
05/03/1995
Dakota-Hastings - Criminal/Traffic/Petty
Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
(TCIS Amended Charge) MISD FALSE INFO TO POLICE Not applicable - GOC
62-T4-97-039971
97870757
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
06/20/1997
Ramsey Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
THEFT
27-CR-98-051551
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
05/22/1998
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
CONTROLLED SUB CRIME 5TH DEG-POSSESSI Not applicable - GOC
02-T3-98-020080
X 608155
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
08/10/1998
Anoka
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
TAMPER W/MTR VEH M
27-CR-98-104666
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
10/16/1998
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Southdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
THEFT BY SWINDLE
27-CR-99-020487
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
02/23/1999
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE FOURTH DEGREE
69-K5-00-600154
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
07/13/1962
02/03/2000
- St. Louis-Duluth
Sullivan,David P. ,
Felony
Converted Closed
POSS.FIREARM BY FELON Not applicable - GOC
58-T6-03-001415
PCSD031129
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
06/18/2003
Pine
Moving - Misdemeanor
Closed-Physical File Destroyed
NO MN DL IN POSSESSION
69-T3-03-614715
DUE 292534
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
12/12/2003
- St. Louis-Duluth
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
(TCIS Amended Charge) AID & ABET THEFT
69-T1-04-605988
DUE 310129
DUE 310129
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
06/02/2004
- St. Louis-Duluth
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
THEFT/SHOPLIFTING -ORD.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT-ORD.
69-TX-04-606573
DUE 321273
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
06/11/2004
- St. Louis-Duluth
Moving - Petty Misd
Closed
FAILURE TO STOP @ SIGN
69-T7-04-608314
DUE 320950
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
07/12/2004
- St. Louis-Duluth
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Closed
THEFT-ORD.
69-TX-04-613992
DUE 301769
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
11/15/2004
- St. Louis-Duluth
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
THEFT
69-K3-04-601313
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
12/03/2004
- St. Louis-Duluth
Gross Misdemeanor
Closed
THEFT Not applicable - GOC
AID AND ABET THEFT Not applicable - GOC
POSS. OF STOLEN PROPERTY Not applicable - GOC
69-T6-05-602594
DUE 313755
DUE 313755
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
03/11/2005
- St. Louis-Duluth
Moving - Misdemeanor
Closed
Traffic-Drivers License-Driving After Suspension
Traffic Regulation-Uninsured Vehicle-Driver Violation
69-T3-05-603203
FCR 001603
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
03/28/2005
- St. Louis-Duluth
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Closed
Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent
69DU-VB-05-796
E307413
E307413
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
05/03/2005
- St. Louis-Duluth
Crim/Traf Non-Mand
Closed
Traffic Regulation - Failure to Obey Traffic Signs
Traffic-Drivers License-Driving After Suspension
69DU-CR-05-632
E314565
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/10/1962
05/04/2005
- St. Louis-Duluth
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
theft
69DU-CR-05-714
E314341
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
05/11/2005
- St. Louis-Duluth
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent
69DU-CR-05-863
E307381
BERTRAND, COLLIN
08/13/1962
05/20/2005
- St. Louis-Duluth
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Disorderly Conduct
58-VB-05-793
SI09359
Bertrand, Collin Jerome
08/13/1962
10/20/2005
Pine
Crim/Traf Non-Mand
Closed
Traffic - Open bottle law; drinking and consumption; crime described
62-T3-06-605420
906108717
906108717
906108171
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
04/27/2006
Ramsey Criminal/Traffic/Petty Suburban
Moving - Misdemeanor
Converted Closed
RECKLESS DRIVING
LSA DRIVER TO GIVE INFO
NO INSURANCE MISD
27-CR-06-071258
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
10/16/2006
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Drugs - 5th Degree - Possess Schedule 1,2,3,4 - Not Small Amount Marijuana
02-T9-07-005852
X 932252
X 932252
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
02/21/2007
Anoka
Non- Traffic Misdemeanor
Closed
1ST DAS M
Traffic Regulation - Driver Must Carry Proof of Insurance when Operating Vehicle;Misd
02-CR-07-21
932240
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
03/12/2007
Anoka
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Damage to Property-4th Deg-Intentional Damage-Other Circumstances
27-CR-07-102990
4070304151
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
07/30/2007
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Southdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Driving after suspension
27-CR-07-125441
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
11/28/2007
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Traffic - DWI - Operate Motor Vehicle Under Influence of Alcohol
TRAFFIC - CARELESS DRIVING
TRAFFIC-DRIVERS LICENSE-DRIVING AFTER REVOCATION
27-CR-08-8965
107212104
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
02/21/2008
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Driving after revocation
02-CR-08-15944
958593
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
12/16/2008
Anoka
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent
27-CR-09-56335
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
11/03/2009
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Theft
27-CR-12-22744
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
07/02/2012
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Closed
Pawning of Another's Property
27-CR-13-4449
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
02/12/2013
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Brookdale
Alton, Ann Leslie
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
Obscene or Harassing Telephone Calls Not applicable - GOC
27-CR-13-15691
BERTRAND, COLLIN JEROME
08/13/1962
05/20/2013
Hennepin Criminal/Traffic/Petty Downtown
Crim/Traf Mandatory
Under Court Jurisdiction
TRAFFIC-DRIVERS LICENSE-DRIVING AFTER SUSPENSION

Despite the serious charges against DeWayne Day which involved armed, dangerous crack dealing in our neighborhood, and despite at least one impact statement submitted on behalf of our neighborhood, Judge Alexander gave Day a sentence of 365 days in the workhouse with credit for 140 days served. According to Roberta Englund, the sentence was "an egregious downward departure" from a possible sentence of 36/86 months for the guns and drugs noted in the criminal complaint.

On North Vent, Englund stated that data is being assembled on Judge Alexander's tendency toward dramatic downward departures and putting hardened criminals back on the streets as quickly as possible. Judge Anderson would not allow the two arresting officers to testify at Friday's sentencing hearing, either. The actions of Judge Alexander have, so I hear, become a kind of rallying incident for the small-but-growing 4th District "Court Watch" movement.

Incredibly, Alexander is the head of a judicial committee on Crime and Justice. (CORRECTION, DECEMBER 1. Alexander is, in fact, the Executive Director of the Council on Crime and Justice, a non-profit committee) 

Alexander was reportedly "gone from the court for quite a while" but then received an appointment from Governor Dayton. One source behind the scenes described Alexander as "not on the same planet" as the people who have to deal with the revolving door of her lenient sentencing and live next to criminals like DeWayne "Dirty Finger" Day.

Please note: "Dirty Finger" is not actually Day's nickname.

Well, until today.

More extensive digging into all the addresses associated with DeWayne Day will have to wait for, well...

Another day. 

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Judge Pamela Alexander became somewhat well known nationwide close to 20 years ago for promoting the idea that harsher penalties for crack cocaine (than powder) are racist because of the disparate impact such penalties have on black criminals. While it's never a bad idea to reconsider the wisdom and fairness of harsher penalties for crack (or whether penalties for powder cocaine are sufficiently harsh), the proper place for that argument is in the legislature. To hold that harsher penalties for crack are inherently unfair (on the theory that it's pharmacologically identical to powered cocaine) is akin to saying that society has no right to impose different laws for "3.2" beer than for Everclear or that there should be no laws against sawed-off shotguns, given that long-barrel shotguns are legal. There are many areas of the law where something can be so different quantitatively that it becomes qualitatively different in legal terms. Everclear presents distinct dangers compared to beer. Crack presents different dangers compared to pwer cocaine. Judge Alexander just wants to push her political agenda, even if it means endangering the black community she professes to care so much about. She's a minor legal intellect and a partisan hack. She'll probably get nominated for the next Supreme Court vacancy by President Obama.

Anonymous said...

There is no room for these people in the jails. It's a huge push on a national level, not to lock up drug cases anymore. I would have hoped the gun would have given him more time but he must not be felon.

Anonymous said...

Could you show people where to get involved with the 4th District "Court Watch" movement.

Johnny Northside! said...

I'm getting that information about how to get involved in the Court Watch movement. I'd probably refer anybody interested to Roberta Englund, the Executive Director of Folwell and Weber-Camden.

Johnny Northside! said...

One might as easily argue for HARSHER sentences for crack because of the impact of crack on BLACK communities. Even the Clinton administration didn't want to appoint Alexander to a federal court seat because she was just too "out there," but now we have her sitting on the Hennepin County bench.

Johnny Northside! said...

Here is information about how to get involved in the Court Watch Movement.
-----------------------
Roberta Johnson Englund For right now - a FB page will be up in about a week - email Hammett, Timothy and ask him to put add the person to the current Court Watch list to receive requests for impact statements. When the requests are sent they will include the case file of the perpetrator (defendant) and the charges - when the page is up all of that information and the outcomes will be posted there as well. Beginning in January at the first Court Watch meeting for 2014 - Tuesday, January 14th, 6:30 at North Regional Library (CW meetings are always the second Tuesday of the month) we will begin a series of Court Watch participation clinics where residents can engage with all faceets of the system.
18 minutes ago · Like

Anonymous said...

OF COURSE you would go after a well respected, black women, judge FROM Minneapolis. You're disgusting if you have no evidence that her sentences are different than any others. Tell that idiot Roberta, NO judge in MN can give him parole, because we DONT HAVE PAROLE IN THIS STATE IDIOTS. I actually gave you the benefit of the doubt when everyone said you were a racist..no more.

Anonymous said...

Facebook, really? What are we, 12? Fb is just the new armchair for wannabes.

Johnny Northside! said...

I don't know where you get this "parole" thing from, but it wasn't mentioned in the original post or in any comment made by me. It seems to be a red herring you have pulled out of your anonymous troll backside. Great trick, by the way, but does it harm the fish?

Anonymous said...

Let me just say that this is not a race issue .My husband does know of her since she was working in the juvenile court years ago. my husband is familiar with her sentencing being off. Since he works with courts .She discredits all whom work within the system from parole officers to drug councelors also the cops whom were not allowed to testify. I agree there is no room for individuals whom are suffering from drug addictions but this individual is nothing but a parasite to our community and because he also carries a gun a dangerous one.

Anonymous said...

Oh ,I forgot let me state he is a pedifile, career criminal slash parasite on our community and the judge alexander made an errouneous misjudgement, and has provided to do so for many years, at the demise of community of the north side of mpls . 365 days in the work house not even jail , 144 days credit .That is some BULLSHIT .

Anonymous said...

Thank you John , for showing the true buroeacracies that keep our communties and lives in jeopardy, let alone the police officers whom risk their lives for us daily.

Jeff Skrenes said...

Parole was mentioned in Roberta Englund's impact statement.

While the racial disparities of cocaine/crack sentencing have a real impact on people's lives, and I'm glad someone is taking that issue on, this case here would not seem to be the place for that argument. This guy deserves a lengthy sentence for being a career criminal and aggravated factors surrounding this particular crime.

Anonymous said...

If black criminals don't like the "disparate impact" of harsher penalties for crack than powdered cocaine, they could always elect to not sell crack.

Anonymous said...

Johnny; would you have written the article if the judge was white and a man? You are a racist misogynist.

Anonymous said...

This guy is a informant, felon in possession 5 years mandatory, Crack and a gun anothee 5 mandatory minimum. Two counts in the first degree, state sentencing guide lines call for at least 86 months on both counts. I believe the stolen gun can also be a lengthy sentence. Just the mandatory minimums and drug charges would account for over 20years. This guy HAS to be helping the cops.

Johnny Northside! said...

We believe he is NOT helping the cops and he got that light sentence anyway. And attempts to say "he's helping the cops" are just people trying to shield this judge from the criticism associated with this light sentence.

Johnny Northside! said...

Read this article about Judge William Koch, mush headed friend to playground shooters.

http://adventuresofjohnnynorthside.blogspot.com/2013/06/judge-william-koch-must-headed-judicial.html

I'll see you and raise you.

Anonymous said...

The questions is do you hate women or black women?

Anonymous said...

Johnny; would you have written the article if the judge was a super model? You are a sexist!

Anonymous said...

We have a choice between hate or love. Why do you hate so much? She has done a lot of good. What GOOD have you done? Do you love anyone?

Anonymous said...

To anonymous about love and hate , what are you smoking .This has nothing to do with love or hate . This about injustices done to community members that reguard the safety and well being of everyone. We should all know about this . And exactly whom is consistenty doing so , what is their real agenda. It is deffinetly not in the best interest in a better society .And judges have been taken from the bench for much less. Like say opposeing stop and frisk. Let alone letting parasites like this peddle dope, sexually abuse small children and carry guns around .

Anonymous said...

Johnny,

If you criticize a black person, you are a racist.
If you criticize a Hispanic person, you are a racist.
If you criticize an Asian person, you are a racist.
If you criticize a Native American person, you are a racist.
If you criticize an Australian Aboriginal person, you are a racist.

If you criticize a woman, you are a sexist.

If you criticize a white male judge (like William Koch), well, that's OK, but you're still a racist, just because you're a white male.

See how it works?

Johnny Northside! said...

He was not convicted of the sex abuse charge. That charge, involving a very young victim and no DNA evidence, in which a lie detector said Day was being "deceptive" (see Star Tribune article) was dropped.

Anonymous said...

Dear smart ass: There are things much bigger than your own little tiny world of selfishness. THIS is a judge who has done A LOT to increase fairness in sentencing. She has also done A LOT for this community. I have a LIST. I will post mine if you post your PROOF. You know the words PROOF,FACTS,NUMBERS,CASE STUDIES. To actually PROVE that she has done something that OTHER judges have not. PROOF that an educated black women has given a sentence MUCH shorter than another judge would have given him. IF you don't have that information then you are just TMZ,The enquirer or perhaps a damn racist.Empty rhetoric is simply silly!!You are just talking out your ass. She has been a judge for a LONG time you have so many cases to do a comparison on or STFU!!

Anonymous said...

Do you even KNOW how many armed robbery cases in Hennepin county end in PROBATION only? These sentences are given by MANY judges. The government is trying to cut down on sentences for drug cases right now. This is a simple drug case. Guess what if you know anything about the law, what he MIGHT have done with any child is NOT a factor in his sentence, just your own bias!

Johnny Northside! said...

It is not a "simple drug case." The man was armed to the teeth and one of the weapons was stolen. This sentence is believed by court watchers to be an anomaly. It is not the trend, it is not the norm.

Anonymous said...

This is the same judge who gave my brothers killer a slap on the hand! He killed a unarmed man trying to get drug money! I know for a fact she can be unfair or just plain ole don't be looking at the cases 100%

Anonymous said...

To whom ever wishes me to shut the fuck up. Anyone can see this is a judge with a soft spot for crack peddlers , I don't believe that is a good quality to have let alone one that carries a gun and touches little girls you go strait back into the hell you reside in BITCH.

Anonymous said...

Why is this not newsworthy, honestly I don't care to here how houses are being burnt down in Minnetonka with the family pet inside . It's a small tradegy yes,but compared to all the people this person DeWayne Day has influenced with his selling to . This a true root to the evils of the communities in which this happens , weather it be the underage child that is forced into perform the sexual demands of the local pimps or the gangs who obviously profit from the sale and lifestyle .This Judge Alexander judgement is off .I would say she is aiding and abetting . And just say how long has she been in this position ? How has this city really improved do tell me.I would bet it's been all through the ninety till now.

Anonymous said...

This sentence is unbelievable miscarriage of justice . Shame on you Judge Alexander.

Anonymous said...

Tie her to a lamp post for a couple of hours in the same neighborhood she let this animal return to. If she survives she might regret her decision!

Anonymous said...

Yes it is simple, He wasn't running around with the gun or in peoples homes putting it in their face. You think sitting in your house with it in a drawer is worse? How about shooting and causing permanent damage to a baby and getting a few months. One word for you, BIAS!!

Anonymous said...

December 3rd 12:53..... you enable perverts and you definitely need to check out this fraudulent so-called "JUDGE" .... don't matter, because certain communities love this shit.... and she emboldens them... show me your list, bitch.

Anonymous said...

How about we hold the DA accountable for not enforcing the federal law that mandates a mandatory minimum 5 years for felon in possession of a handgun. At least 50 a year in Minneapolis never get charged.. We can also use the same federal mandatory minimum with drugs and guns. Why isn't there any outrage that the DA NEVER Files charges on these crimes? Those two laws that this guy broke would have locked him up for 10 years fed time no matter what. A 90+ percent conviction rate in the federal court. These guys never get charged why? Let's focus on the real problem..

Anonymous said...

Who keeps re-electing this idiot?

Anonymous said...

Why was this not brought to the federal court . This guy is a repeat felon caught with weapons . That's a guaranteed 12 15 yrs in federal prison. There something seriously wrong here . Something is going on and we aren't sufficiently protected with police.

Johnny Northside! said...

I don't see where the problem is the DA at all. If the DA knows the judge isn't going to hand out a stiff sentence, then the DA is probably going to push for the "stiffest non-stiff" sentence possible.

I certainly do not blame the DA in this matter one little bit.

Johnny Northside! said...

I do not approve of the harsh and insulting tone of the previous comment, but I am also interested in seeing the "list" being talked about.

Johnny Northside! said...

I strongly disapprove of the disrespectful "lamp post" comment but I generally publish comments that are on-topic and relevant, even if the comments are stupid and distasteful. I publish these comments as part of a robust First Amendment discussion.

Johnny Northside! said...

What was the name of your brother's killer? If there is any factual basis to your anonymous comment then that's one sentence the Court Watch people need to examine, and it's my understanding Court Watch people are going to be looking at that kind of thing now and in the near future.

Anonymous said...

Racist white bastard I hope you die of an African illness