For me it was you...wasn't even on TU when you reported! I knew the terrorism was a bit of a stretch. Do you think his attorney did a poor job on purpose?
IMHO - absolutely. Perfect grounds for an appeal. Then again, he really didn't have a whole lot of people standing up to defend him anyway, so I guess it's a wash.
What will the total sentence be? charges carry 4-25 years each ... anyone feel like taking a bet?
I'm guessing, IF sentenced and actually does time (50%-50%) he'll do 5-8 (all concurrent) - out in 3 for good behavior.
SCHENECTADY - Steven Raucci was found guilty on 18 of 22 counts by a jury Thursday morning, including arson.
Raucci is the former facilities manager for the Schenectady City School District. He was accused of vandalizing and placing explosives on the homes and vehicles of people he felt had crossed him.
He was found not guilty on the charge of terrorism.
Raucci faces life in prison Acquitted of terrorism, but convicted of arson, vandalism
By PAUL NELSON AND LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writers Last updated: 10:49 a.m., Thursday, April 1, 2010
Steven Raucci, the Schenectady school district's former chief of facilities, was convicted today of carrying out a campaign of bombings and vandalism against enemies.
He faces up to life in prison on the top count jurors convicted him of: first-degree arson.
The Schenectady County jury convicted him of 18 of the 22 charges related to the vandalism of several homes and cars of people who crossed him or his friends.
The jury acquitted Raucci, 61, of the crime of terrorism. They also voted on the incidents that happened outside of Schenectady, ruling in favor of the prosecution on the issue of jurisdiction.
Raucci looked down when the first guilty verdict was read, but remained otherwise expressionless and stared straight ahead as the decision was read. His wife Shelley, who was in the courtroom, also showed no emotion.
"We tried to be positive," Raucci's attorney, Ron DeAngelus, said when asked after the verdict about his client's mood as he waited for the verdict. "This is not the end for Mr. Raucci. He has appeal rights."
There were 10 court officers from the county and state, all stationed around the courtroom before the verdict.
The ruling brings to an end a yearlong scandal that has enveloped the Schenectady city school district and gripped the community -- a tale of a government-paid school district employee who left explosive devices at homes and on cars and spray painted homes and cars in an attempt to influence those around him. Testimony at trial also showed upper school administrators knew about incidents that terrorized school employees and did nothing to remove Raucci from his post.
A grand jury had originally indicted Raucci on 26 criminal counts, but the amount was reduced to 22 after motions were filed by Raucci's attorney, Ronald DeAngelus. The case lasted more than a month, with Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney -- in a rare move prosecuting the case himself -- bringing 62 witnesses to the stand.
Jurors deliberated for two and a half days.
Prosecutors said Raucci had used what he called "street justice" for more than 15 years in locations throughout the Capital Region, placing explosives on car windshields, doorknobs and near picture windows. The incidents ranged from avenging a friend whose kitchen contractor wouldn't repay back a debt, to attempting to intimidate the school athletic director because Raucci disagreed with him on as simple an issue as giving extra building keys to a track coach.
Not all of the incidents were even part of the indictment, as they happened too long ago.
DeAngelus told jurors that Raucci was a "braggart" who took credit for things he didn't do.
The big GUILTY was on the arson in Rotterdam when the Mad Bomber blew off a door at the wrong address. He was looking for a RPD officer but found a neighbor. For that felony alone he will never be released. Good job by this jury.
Now it's time to start prosecuting his bosses, enablers, running dogs and all the rats in the horrible Schenectady School District. Especially those that alerted him to police activity. They need to be brought kicking and screaming to justice.
Dan Lynch {Talk-1300} has called for the Schenectady School Bored to immediately fire Super Elys. TODAY!
Dan Lynch also has called for the DA to investigate Super Elys for alerting The Mad Bomber about the ongoing police investigation. He called that tampering with governmental operations.
District Attorney Bob Carney says he hasn't ruled out further criminal action when it comes to Raucci's former boss Schenectady Schools Superintendent Eric Ely. Although the D.A. says there is nothing right now that rises to a criminal level. This all centers around an e-mail sent from Ely giving Raucci a head's up on the investigation. Ely told FOX23 News by phone on Thursday that he confronted Raucci several times but he continously denied wrongdoing.
"I confronted him with that I sent an e-mail. I said heads up on this, we need to fix this head on. I confronted him directly about it. He said he knew he was under investigation and that he was not guilty - so obviously he lied to me," said Ely.
Ely says the district has been dragged through the mud.
He stressed again he did nothing wrong and plans to finish out the remaining two years of his contract.
Until there is more info/proof, I see these as 'allegations'. Just as the gazette stated at the beginning of their article. I believe that in this country, the law still states that one is innocent until proven guilty.
BUM- ARE YA CONVINCED YET???????? OR IS IT STILL FISHY???
Logged
The big GUILTY was on the arson in Rotterdam when the Mad Bomber blew off a door at the wrong address. He was looking for a RPD officer but found a neighbor. For that felony alone he will never be released. Good job by this jury.
