Prehistoric Family Values: Senator Who Defended Traditional Marriage Is Sentenced for Slashing Face of Girlfriend and Dragging Her Through the Apartment Lobby

Hiram Monserrate attracted statewide attention in New York as one of the Democrats who defended “traditional marriage” and “family values” in recently voting down a bill that would have made same-sex marriage legal the state. His concept of family values was questioned after he was sentenced for assaulting his girlfriend Karla Giraldo. Monserrate slashed Giraldo’s face and dragged her through the lobby of his Queens apartment building. Good old family values from the Paleolithic Period.

Monserrate, an ex-Marine, was reportedly upset after he found another man’s business card in her purse. The glass broke against her face, cutting her near her left eye down to her skull and left a lasting scar.

He was originally charged with two felony counts and two misdemeanor counts of assault but acquitted him on the two felony assault charges. The evidence included a security video camera that showed Monserrate dragging Ms. Giraldo through the lobby of his apartment building and medical statements showing extensive bruises on her body.

He convicted on a single count of misdemeanor assault, which could carry a maximum of one year behind bars. But, as a first time offender, Queens Supreme Court Justice William Erlbaum gave Monserrate three years’ probation, 250 hours of community service and counseling

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