Update: Trial Date Set in Pena Case
JUNE 21 -- Manhattan Criminal Court Justice Gregory Carro, in a noontime conference with Assistant District Attorney Randolph Clarke and the attorney for the accused killer of Bus Operator William Pena, set August 11th as the date for evidentiary hearings in the case and September 15th as a trial date. Dominic Whilby, whose stolen truck crashed into Pena's M14 bus early in the morning of February 12, 2014, had refused the people's offer of 14 to 24 years in prison. TWU members and officers including VP of Private Lines Pete Rosconi and RTO Conductor Chair Crystal Young, were in court today to support Willie's widow, Nancy Rodriguez, and their daughter Gabrielle. Mr. Whilby was brought into court from jail for the brief appearance before Judge Carro. We're asking for all TWU members to plan on attending these two upcoming dates to provide support for Willie's family and send a message to the criminal justice system about the importance of this case to all transit workers. The evidentiary hearings scheduled for August 11 will be about the admissability of evidence and witnesses to the crime.