McCabe Trial: Nagler and Branch Take the Witness Stand-PART I
ADA Connie Rubirosa: The people would like to call their first witness--former Chief of Detectives Ronald Nagler.
*Nagler goes up there, is sworn in*
Riley Toth, Esq.: *sits back and watches*
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Mr. Nagler, where were you the night of June 2, 2007?
Ronald Nagler: *he's resined, tired, looks like he's aged* I was at a...brothel...run by the Glebovich family.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: And what were you doing there that night, Mr. Nagler?
Ronald Nagler: It's...a brothel, Ms. Rubirosa.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: I'm afraid I'm going to need you to specify.
Ronald Nagler: I was there to have sex...some of us were doing drugs.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Did you go with anyone, Mr. Nagler?
Ronald Nagler: Arthur Branch, the former district attorney for NY County.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Was this a regular occurance, Mr. Nagler?
Ronald Nagler:....Arthur invited me along once...and...yes, we did it occasionally...when work got too stressful or just...*shrugs*
ADA Connie Rubirosa: This particular night, were your usual festivities interrupted?
Ronald Nagler: They were.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: What happened, Mr. Nagler?
Ronald Nagler: I saw a detective I knew. She was undercover.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Who was that detective, Mr. Nagler?
Ronald Nagler: *clears his throat, looking down* Detective Sergeant Mary Jane Bluth.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: For the record--*turns to the court clerk* the witness is referring to the victim, Mary Jane Bluth.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Did she see you?
Ronald Nagler: She did.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Did she recognize you, Mr. Nagler?
Ronald Nagler: She...looked surprised--and yes. I knew her. She knew me.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: What happened next, Mr. Nagler?
Ronald Nagler: She went out of the room. I informed Arthur Branch of what happened...I asked him to go speak with her...I should have gone myself but--I was inebriated.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: And what did Mr. Branch tell her, Mr. Nagler?
Riley Toth, Esq.: Objection!
Riley Toth, Esq.: Hearsay, your honor, Mr. Nagler wasn't there, he can't testify to what Mr. Branch said.
Judge Stevens: Sustained.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: *rolls her eyes at Riley, then looks back at the witness* Mr. Nagler, did you ever tell Mr. Branch to threaten Mary Jane Bluth?
Ronald Nagler: No.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Did you have any idea that force would be used against Mary Jane Bluth?
Ronald Nagler: No.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Did you have any knowledge, prior to her death, that Eileen Tarleton knew about you and her boss being at the Glebovich brothel?
Ronald Nagler: No.
ADA Connie Rubirosa: The people have no further questions at this time. *sits*
Judge Stevens: Mr. Toth, your witness.
Riley Toth, Esq.: *gets up and crosses to Nagler*
Ronald Nagler: *clears his throat*
Riley Toth, Esq.: Mr. Nagler, have you ever met the defendant, Mr. McCabe, before?
Ronald Nagler: No.
Riley Toth, Esq.: Just for the record, you received a deal in order for your testimony here?
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Objection--relevance?
Judge Stevens: I'll allow it. The objection is overruled.
Ronald Nagler: Yes.
Riley Toth, Esq.: What was that deal?
Ronald Nagler: *clears his throat* House arrest and probation, afterward.
Riley Toth, Esq.: On what charges?
Ronald Nagler: Possession of illegal narcotic substances.
Riley Toth, Esq.: No higher charges as related to this case?
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Objection-asked and answered.
Judge Stevens: Overruled.
Ronald Nagler: *answers the question* No.
Riley Toth, Esq.: *scratches the back of his neck* Now, Mr. Nagler, if Detective Bluth had taken what she knew to her superiors, what would the reprocussions have been for you?
Ronald Nagler: There would have been an Internal Affairs investigation.
Riley Toth, Esq.: And if you were found guilty?
Ronald Nagler: That would be up to the Interal Affairs Board.
Riley Toth, Esq.: Could you lose your position as Chief of Detectives?
ADA Connie Rubirosa: Objection-speculation!
Judge Stevens: Sustained.
Riley Toth, Esq.: *thins lips* Nothing further. *walks back to chair*
ADA Connie Rubirosa: The people would like to thank and excuse this witness, your Honor.
Judge Stevens: *nods* You're free to leave, Mr. Nagler.
Ronald Nagler: *leaves*