How about, rather than spend more money to monitor the actions and movements of the general public, we focus on prosecuting those who commit crimes and sentence them to maximum allowable sentences. No more plea bargains.
Use this money to hire more prosecutors in the DAs office and to build more jails for the convicted criminal element.
SCHENECTADY Chaires: Mont Pleasant efforts need adjustment Police chief cites some success from directed patrol BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
The burglars in Mont Pleasant have proved “intractable” despite five months of focused attention by the Police Department’s directed patrol, Police Chief Mark Chaires said. But street robberies have fallen since police began the special project in the neighborhood. “It’s definitely having some effect,” Chaires said. “We were seeing a spike in street robberies. It definitely had an effect there.” Now he is modifying the program to get better results. “Some of these problems are going to be a little more intractable,” he said. “It’s not all one solution. There’s some other things we have to do up there.” His commanders are creating procedures for burglaries so that the first officer on the scene collects all possible evidence. “We’re making sure we get a consistent quality of preliminary investigation on the burglaries,” he said, “so we get the maximum amount of evidence.” The department is also encouraging the neighborhood patrol, which has increased in numbers since the citywide patrol was reorganized by volunteer Fred Lee early this year. ..............>>>>..............>>>>................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01103&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY Suspended officer indicted on 3 felonies Lewis would lose job automatically if convicted BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
New charges stemming from an old incident have a long-suspended city police officer facing automatic termination if convicted. John W. Lewis, 40, of Oregon Avenue, was indicted Tuesday on a total of three felonies, all related to alleged tampering and eavesdropping tied to his ex-wife’s email and other services. “He is accused of going into his ex-wife’s computer e-mail account,” prosecutor Christina Tremante-Pelham said, “not only reading her e-mails but from there, getting into other accounts and altering information on them.” The altered information then allowed him further access, Tremante-Pelham said. Each felony carries with it a maximum of 16 months to 4 years in state prison upon conviction. A felony conviction means automatic termination from Lewis’ job as a police officer. Lewis is currently facing termination in internal disciplinary hearings expected to wrap up Dec. 30. A written decision from the hearing officer on Lewis’ departmental fate is expected by March. Lewis has been on first paid leave and now unpaid leave since April 2008, when he was charged with the first of five incidents, three related directly to his divorce from his exwife, Allison Fitz, also known by her married name Allison Lewis. The divorce was final in September 2008. ..................>>>>.....................>>>>.................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01100&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY Det. Barnes misconduct case begins its pre-trial hearings BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Capt. Stephen LaVare and Assistant Police Chief Brian Kilcullen went to the home of Det. Sherri Barnes on Jan. 16 to serve her with suspension papers stemming from allegations she obtained prescription drugs illegally. While there, LaVare, head of the department’s Office of Professional Standards, recorded a 25-minute conversation with Barnes as part of the investigation. “Can you enlighten me on what’s going on?” Barnes responded as she was being served. Kilcullen could only respond it was part of a criminal investigation into prescription drugs. The recording was played Wednesday in Schenectady County Court as part of a pretrial hearing in Barnes’ criminal case. The hearing was to determine whether the statements were voluntary. Barnes was indicted in September on four misdemeanor counts, including official misconduct. On the tape, Barnes denies any wrongdoing, saying at one point she “has nothing to hide.” She also started in on the state investigator in the case, an investigator her defense is now trying to make an issue of. She is heard telling Kilcullen and LaVare they should look into him. Barnes is accused of illegally receiving extra pills of the muscle relaxant Soma from apharmacist and also from a friend who had a prescription. The pharmacist has been charged with felony perjury. The drug, also called carisoprodol, is used to relieve pain and discomfort caused by muscle injuries. The drug is not a controlled substance in New York but does require a prescription. Prosecutors claim that Barnes and a friend would go to pharmacies and the friend would fill the prescription and then give it to Barnes. During one transaction on Jan. 5 Barnes allegedly showed her badge to get immediate action. Barnes has maintained her innocence. At the outset of Tuesday’s hearing, acting Schenectady County Court Judge Michael Eidens asked if there were any talks to settle the case. Barnes’ attorney, Paul DerOhannesian, responded he didn’t see any basis for a resolution. Barnes‘ husband, Donald Barnes, sat in the gallery for Wednesday’s hearing. He is also a member of the police force. .........................>>>>...............>>>>.................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01700&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY -- Police in the Berkshire County town of Williamstown, Mass., are expected to soon release information regarding a stabbing allegedly involving suspended Schenectady Police Officer John Lewis.
The veteran cop, who on Tuesday, was again put on unpaid leave for 30 days after being indicted for computer hacking, suffered at least one stab wound to the stomach following a dispute with his girlfriend, according to several local police officials familiar with the case.
Lewis, 40, was treated at a local hospital and released. His attorney, Michael Horan, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
This latest situation comes just two days after Lewis was indicted on 10 counts of using his girlfriend's computer to hack into his ex-wife's e-mail accounts.
Separate disciplinary hearings have been proceeding against Lewis since October.
Why do we need to 'step up efforts' to entice minorities? What constitutes a minority these days? Women? My wife would beg to differwith you on that one. She does NOT consider herself or any woman a minority.
And will someone explain to me WHY there still are so called 'minorities'? That issue was dealt with over 30-40 years ago. My guess is....they are just more special interest groups that beg the government for money....eg: ACORN!
In about 30 more years, whites will be the minority in this country.
SCHENECTADY Pharmacist wants felony perjury charges reduced Woman accused of lying to grand jury
BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.net.
A local pharmacist accused of lying to the grand jury that investigated city police detective Sherri Barnes is trying to get the charges against her reduced. Michele Pallotta, 58, of Eastholm Road, appeared in court Friday for arguments on why the perjury charges against her should be tried as misdemeanors, reducing them from felonies. Pallotta has pleaded innocent to the charges. She is accused of lying to the grand jury about her relationship with Barnes, the amount of prescription drugs she allegedly gave Barnes and contacts Pallotta had with the state Department of Health regarding Barnes, according to the indictment. Pallotta’s attorney, Michael Mc-Dermott, argued to Schenectady County Court Judge Karen Drago that the alleged lies to the grand jury were not important to the case against Barnes. The distinction is important in that it’s the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony perjury charge. “I don’t see, under any stretch of the imagination, how Mrs. Pallotta’s subjective opinion whether Mrs. Barnes had a substance abuse problem was material to the grand jury investigation,” McDermott argued. Pallotta allegedly gave Barnes extra pills of the muscle relaxant Soma and then lied about it to the grand jury. .................................>>>>.............................>>>>>..................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01300&AppName=1
A local pharmacist accused of lying to the grand jury that investigated city police detective Sherri Barnes is trying to get the charges against her reduced.
you cant buy apples in a pumpkin patch.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
SCHENECTADY Suspended officer’s contempt case adjourned until Jan. 11 Lewis’ absence in court attributed to mix-up by attorney BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.com.
A long suspended city police officer received another adjournment Monday in one of the cases against him, this time after an apparent miscommunication on the part of the officer’s attorney. Officer John Lewis, whom city officials are trying to fire through an ongoing disciplinary hearing, was to face trial Monday on one count of second-degree criminal contempt in City Court. But an apparent mix-up related to an indictment handed up last week resulted in Lewis’ attorney Michael Horan believing Monday’s trial was off in favor of Lewis’ arraignment on the indictment this morning. Lewis was indicted last week on a total of three felonies related to alleged eavesdropping on his exwife’s computer. .......................>>>>..............>>>>.................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01303&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY Officer posts bail, told not to leave the state Lewis arraigned on stalking, eavesdrop charges BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.com.
Long-suspended Schenectady Police Officer John Lewis posted a $20,000 bond Tuesday morning to remain free pending prosecution of three felonies lodged against him. Lewis also cannot leave the state, a provision included after a prosecutor alleged Lewis has had three interactions, described as domestic incidents, in the past month with police in Massachusetts. Lewis appeared in Schenectady County Court before Judge Karen Drago and pleaded innocent to the 10-count indictment against him. The indictment includes three felonies related to alleged eavesdropping and stalking of his ex-wife. Drago also set bail at the $20,000 figure posted, taking into account the prosecution’s assertion that Lewis has 15 times not shown up to City Court since April 2008. Lewis defense attorney Michael Horan did not detail each, but he noted that the 15th, Monday, was due to a miscommunication on Horan’s part and others were due to Lewis being in treatment. But in each, Horan said, his client was available and within quick reach by phone. Drago didn’t accept that explanation, telling Horan not to play word games. Horan also referenced Lewis’ status as a police officer. But Drago pointedly asked when he was last on the job. That was in April 2008. Lewis has been arrested a total of five times since then — all on charges misdemeanor level or lower — and has only had to post $500 bail. ................>>>>......................>>>>.....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01401&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY City police officer pleads innocent Attorney: Bosses knew of Johnson’s outside employment In all, Johnson faces a total of four felonies: defrauding the government; BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Suspended city police Officer Dwayne Johnson pleaded innocent Wednesday to a 15-count indictment accusing him of defrauding the city by not working while on duty. Outside the courtroom, Johnson’s attorney categorically denied that his client ever defrauded the city or anyone, saying Johnson was simply a hard worker, working two jobs to support his family. f o u r t h - d e g r e e grand larceny; and two counts of fi rstdegree offering a false instrument for filing. He appeared in court with his attorney, Gaspar Castillo. Castillo said later his client is innocent. “He’s a dedicated police officer. He loves being a cop. That’s what he likes to do and what he loves to do, and that’s what he intends to con- tinue doing,” Castillo said. Castillo said Johnson worked two jobs but never at the same time. The police department was well aware of Johnson’s outside employment, Castillo said. Johnson was released on his own recognizance. Wednesday’s indictment resulted in a suspension without pay for 30 days. Johnson has been suspended with pay since allegations of time stealing surfaced in February. The allegations came after The Daily Gazette asked why Johnson’s patrol car was frequently parked at a local apartment for hours during times he was supposed to be patrolling. Since February, city investigators have uncovered allegations that Johnson was not only failing to work his city shift, but was also either working security at a gas station simultaneously or not working either job and being paid for both. In addition to the felony counts, Johnson faces a total of 11 misdemeanors: five counts of official misconduct; five counts of receiving unlawful gratuities; and one count of second-degree scheme to defraud. Johnson would face termination upon conviction of a felony. In the meantime, the city will seek to terminate his employment through administrative proceedings, Schenectady Police Department officials said in a statement. “Only by continued diligence can the department restore public trust and confidence and enjoy the professional reputation that the majority of the police officers earn and deserve,” said a statement issued Wednesday by Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett. The charges against Johnson cover the time period from Oct. 25, 2008, to Feb. 7, 2009. The earlier date appears to coincide with the installation of GPS monitors in patrol cars. ...................>>>>..................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00102&AppName=1
SCHENECTADY -- A suspended city police officer is at Schenectady County Jail today after he allegedly drove his car into a vehicle at a parking lot at Ellis Hospital on Saturday night.
John Lewis was arrested Saturday night and charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Lewis was arraigned before Schenectady City Court Judge Christine Clark and sent to jail without bail.
Officers responded at 6:02 p.m. Saturday to a report that an intoxicated man had left the Ellis Hospital emergency room and then struck a vehicle in the hospital parking lot with his car, police said. The man was gone by the time officers arrived.
Logged
