From CBS 2:A top Senate Democrat is now calling for Sen. Hiram Monserrate to resign his seat following his conviction on a misdemeanor charge for assaulting his girlfriend.
The call by Sen. Liz Krueger of Manhattan follows a similar plea by the National Organization for Women.
NOW's New York chapter also criticized the Queens judge who acquitted the ex-cop Thursday on a felony charge that would have automatically removed him from office. NOW says it wants the Senate's Democratic leaders to find the courage to expel him.
Krueger says Monserrate, a fellow Democrat, is guilty of a disturbing crime and should resign.
Senate Democratic Conference leader Sen. John Sampson says they will review past practices and follow the law in considering what to do.
Joe Crowley is also calling for Monserrate's resignation.
From the NY Post:
"His conviction on a misdemeanor count, with jail time, that's the real concern," said a prominent Senate Democrat. "What are we going to do, leave him in the Senate while he's serving six months in jail?"
A Democratic strategist added, "I can see the brochure now: 'Your Democratic senator voted to keep in office a man found guilty of assault after he was accused of slashing a woman.'"
And also from the NY Post:
State Sen. Hiram Monserrate may be going from the courtroom straight to the wedding chapel.
Monserrate, who was acquitted Thursday of two felonies in the domestic abuse case brought against him by the Queens DA's office, is "headed" to the altar and plans to wed Karla Giraldo, his lawyer Joseph Tacopina told Fox 5's "Good Day New York" this morning.
"That's where it's headed," said Tacopina, adding that he may have "let the cat out of the bag" by blurting out details of the couple's relationship.
"Apparently, that's their intentions," added Tacopina.
