Criminal Justice

Misdemeanor Mental Health Court Launches in Westchester County

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah joined advocates and government partners on Jan. 19 in announcing the launch of the Westchester Misdemeanor Wellness Court (WMWC), which will offer eligible individuals community-based, mental health treatment and services as an alternative to conventional prosecution.   Rocah said she was grateful to the courts and partner advocates for heeding the call and helping bring to Westchester County a misdemeanor mental health court. She said the court would serve as a practical and humane alternative for individuals who commit low-level crimes, and are in need of treatment and services.   “In addition to


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UPDATE Three Corrections Officers Charged with Misconduct, Falsifying Records amid Altercation with Inmate

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Wednesday, Jan. 17, that three NYC Department of Corrections (DOC) officers have been charged with falsifying business records, official misconduct, and related charges for allegedly making false and misleading reports after one of the correction officers allegedly struck a Rikers Island inmate.   Clark said defendants, Carl Williams, 31, Roy Dewar, 58, and Jatan Das, 64, were arraigned on Jan. 17, on charges of first-degree falsifying business records, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, second-degree falsifying business records, second-degree offering a false instrument for filing, and official misconduct. She said Williams was


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Williamsbridge: Wakefield Man Arrested following Fatal Shooting of 62-Year-Old Russell Scott Wells

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  A man has been a arrested following the fatal shooting of Russell Scott Wells in Williamsbridge, police said.   As reported, the NYPD launched a murder investigation following the fatal shooting of the 62-year-old man last October.   According to an NYPD spokesperson, on Saturday, Oct. 22, at approximately 5.08 a.m., police responded to a “ShotSpotter activation,” a device used to track the sound of gunshots, at 763 East 219th Street.   Upon arrival, officers from the 47th Precinct found a 62-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive, with a gunshot wound to his head. “EMS responded to the location and


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Belmont: Charges Against 16-Year-Old Announced in Police-Involved Non-Fatal Shooting

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Charges have been announced following the arrest of an unnamed 16-year-old male following a police-involved shooting in Belmont, police said.   A police officer from the 48th Precinct public safety team is recovering at St. Barnabas Hospital in Belmont following a multiple shooting incident that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, Jan. 17 in Belmont, police said. They said a 16-year-old male was taken into custody following the incident and two others are still sought. No details of any charges pertaining to the 16-year-old were initially announced during the press conference.   A press conference was held later on


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Man, 56, and Mt. Hope Woman, 42, Charged with Murder of Morris Heights Man on Bronx Bus

By SÍLE MOLONEY
A man from Concourse Village West has been arrested following the murder of Morris Heights man, Lamont Barkley, 55, on the north Mott Haven border in October 2022. A woman from Mt. Hope had already been arrested in October in connection to the incident. On Oct. 10, 2022, police said that on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 at around 8.25 p.m., police responded to a 911 call regarding a man who had been stabbed inside an MTA BX19 Bus at the intersection of East 149th Street and Gerard Avenue on the north Mott Haven border, located in the 44th Precinct.  


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UPDATE Benjamin Franklin Reform Dems to Consider Endorsement of Bronx District Attorney

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  Representatives of The Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club (BFRDC) have announced that the club will hold club leadership elections during its annual meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. via Zoom.   In addition to some club business, club representatives said the following endorsement will be considered: Shall the Club Make an Endorsement for Bronx District Attorney? They added that if the answer is yes, recognized candidates, Darcel Clark and Tess Cohen, will speak and answer questions.   Club representatives said members of the public are invited to view the meeting via Zoom. They clarified that only club


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Six “Los Sures” / Trinitarios Gang Members Sentenced in Murder Case of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Plugins 16 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Friday, Jan. 13, that six members of the “Los Sures” set of the Trinitarios gang have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the 2018 fatal stabbing of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman–Feliz, 15, bringing an end to the legal case.   In the context of the announcement, Clark said, “These six defendants, members of the Los Sures Trinitarios set, chased Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman–Feliz and dragged him out of [a] Belmont bodega where he was stabbed by five other defendants.” She added, “Their unconscionable actions led to the death of the


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Off-Duty NYPD School Crossing Guard Arrested for Assault within the 52nd Precinct Catchment Area

By SÍLE MOLONEY
An off-duty, female, New York City employee was arrested in the 52nd Precinct, police said.   According to an NYPD spokesperson, on Friday, Jan. 13, at 8.19 p.m., Janet Eury, 34, an NYPD school crossing guard, was arrested and charged with assault and harassment.   The 52nd Precinct covers the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights.   A person arrested and charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.   Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS


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Fordham Manor: Community Gathers to Condemn Shooting of Pregnant Woman, 35

By SÍLE MOLONEY & DAVID GREENE
Community members, clergy, law enforcement, elected officials and other leaders gathered in Fordham Manor on Jan. 5. to condemn the recent shooting of a pregnant woman on the Grand Concourse earlier this month. She is expected to survive, police said.   An NYPD spokesperson said that on on Monday, Jan. 2, at around 7.38 p.m., police responded to a call regarding a person who had been shot in the vicinity of 2535 Grand Concourse. “Upon arrival, officers observed a 35-year-old female with a gunshot wound to her leg,” the spokesperson said. “EMS responded and transported the female victim to St.


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