Shooting Victim's Mom Wants Weis To Apologize

By Margaret Lyons in News on Jun 27, 2008 6:31PM

Josue Torres's mother wants an apology from police superintendent Jody Weis--and she's is threatening to sue if she doesn't get one. Recall Weis blamed the 8-year-old's parents for the child being shot.

Jessica Perez, Josue's mother, is a legal secretary, and her boss, Robert A. Habib, is representing her. Habib released a letter to Weis, defending Perez and saying "your statement was defamatory and libelous. ... It was also unbelievably cruel and heartless.'' Weis didn't respond directly, but police spokeswoman Moniqe Bond issued a statement.

"Supt. Weis' strong comments are a result of the frustration that we all feel when innocent children are victims of violence," Bond said Thursday. "He, like all of us, is deeply concerned about the safety of [Perez's] son and all the young people who too often fall victim to the escalating gang and gun violence. He offers his condolences and best wishes for Josue's speedy recovery and remains focused on apprehending the offender responsible for this shooting."

Habib is not representing Carlos Feliciano, Perez's husband, who had just stepped out of the van Josue was in when the child was shot. Feliciano is on parole for arson, has been arrested 18 times, and police say he has ties to the Latin Kings, which he denies. [Trib, S-T]