1996

08-04

BEGINNING OF THEIR INJUSTICE

Denis and Julio were victims of a brutal attack by a gang of white, drunken, racists. In a twist of fate, one of the assailants went down and these Latino cousins were wrongfully convicted for his demise. The authorities ignored their civil rights because it was an undeniable "hate crime" that went unpunished. These men were not just regular guys getting into a street fight or something out of the blue. Many of these attackers were known for their violence and bullying. Including the assailant who had previously been charged (ironically) with the same charges Denis and Julio faced as a result of another attack. He was even arrested for punching and threatening a cop with a gun. Read the facts as they occurred HERE.

1996

12-10

PRELIMINARY HEARING

First Judicial District - Municipal Courts of Philadelphia

Commonwealth VS Denis Calderon (MC9607-4017) & Commonwealth VS Julio Maldonado (MC9607-4025)

Honorable Robert S. Blasi

Prosecutor: Mitchell Bober, Esq.

Defense:

Steven Marino, Esq.

Frank M. Spina II, Esq.

CHARGES:

·        Aggravated Assault (2702), 

·        Recklessly Endangering Another (2705)

·        Attempted Murder (2502)

·        Criminal Conspiracy (903)

·        Simple Assault (2701)

·       Possession of an Instrument of Crime (907)

è HELD FOR TRIAL

1997

04-24

(BENCH) TRIAL

04/24 - 05/05 -05/06 -05/07 -05/13 - 07/21 -

First Judicial District - Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia

Commonwealth VS Denis Calderon (CP-51-CR-1204871-1996) & Commonwealth VS Julio Maldonado (CP-51-CR-1204872-1996)

Honorable Gregory E. Smith

Prosecutor:

Seth Williams, Esq.

Defense:

Steven Marino, Esq.

Frank M. Spina II, Esq.

On July 21, 1997  - Verdict and Sentences

·        Aggravated Assault - GUILTY  2 ½ -10 yrs

·        Recklessly Endangering Another – GUILTY  1-2 yrs

·        Attempted Murder  – NOLLE PROSED

·        Criminal Conspiracy – GUILTY 2 ½ -10 yrs

·        Simple Assault  - GUILTY 0 yrs

·       Possession Instrument Crime – GUILTY 2 ½ -5 yrs

1997

08-27

DIRECT APPEAL

Insufficient Counsel and Medical Expert Testimony (XXYYZZ) 

FIRST COURT OF APPEALS IN PENN

Honorable XYZ  ▪ XYZ, Esq (DA) ▪ Steven Marino, Esq (for Denis Calderon) ▪ and ▪ Frank M. Spina II, Esq (for Julio Maldonado)

1998

09-12

Christian Saladino passes away

Complications from his comatose condition worsen and he passes away.

AUTOPSY REPORT - SECURED DOCUMENT

1999

03-24

PRELIMINARY HEARING

First Judicial District - Municipal Courts of Philadelphia

Commonwealth VS Denis Calderon (MC-51-CR-0151261-1999) & Commonwealth VS Julio Maldonado (MC-51-CR-0151201-1999)

Honorable Marsha H. Neifeld

Prosecutor:

Seth Williams, Esq.

Defense:

Michael E. Wallace, Esq.

Charles J. Cunningham III, Esq.

Charges:

• Murder (2502)
• Criminal Conspiracy (903)

 è HELD FOR TRIAL            

2000

03-24

(JURY) TRIAL

03/24 -03/27 -03/28 -03/30 -03/31 -04/03 -

First Judicial District - Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia

Commonwealth VS Denis Calderon (MC-51-CR-0151261-1999) & Commonwealth VS Julio Maldonado (MC-51-CR-0151201-1999)

Honorable Amanda Cooperman

Prosecutor:

Seth Williams, Esq.

Richard Sax, Esq.

Defense:

Michael B. Wallace, Esq.

Charles J. Cunningham III, Esq.

On April 3^rd, 2000 – Verdict

• Murder – NOT GUILTY
• Criminal Conspiracy - ????

2000

04-10

EVIDENTIARY HEARING REMANED BY SUPERIOR COURT FROM DIRECT APPEAL

04/10 -04/12 -04/18 -05/01 -

First Judicial District – Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia

Commonwealth VS Denis Calderon (MC-51-CR-0151261-1999) & Commonwealth VS Julio Maldonado (MC-51-CR-0151201-1999)

Honorable Gregory E. Smith

Prosecutor:

Seth Williams, Esq.

Richard Sax, Esq.

Defense:

Burton M. Rose, Esq.

Theodore Simon, Esq.

On July 21, 1997, Judge Smith (trier of fact) found Denis and Julio Guilty but on this evidentiary hearing he upheld the appeal and granted them a retrial. He admitted that the medical report may have changed the verdict

2002

07-11

SUPERIOR COURT APPEAL - HUDDOCK

Commonwealth vs Denis Calderon AND Julio Maldonado (CP-51-CR-1204871-1996 and CP-51-CR-1204872-1996) 

FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT - MUNICIPAL COURTS OF PHILADELPHIA                                                          

2004

12-12

COURT HEARING ON GOING BACK TO PRISON - SMITH

Commonwealth vs Denis Calderon AND Julio Maldonado (CP-51-CR-1204871-1996 and CP-51-CR-1204872-1996) 

FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT - MUNICIPAL COURTS OF PHILADELPHIA