Press Release - Napoli Conviction

FROM:   HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

 DATE:   FEBRUARY 26, 2016

 SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE – ERIC NAPOLI CONVICTION

On February 25, 2016, an Ulster County jury of four men and eight women found Eric Napoli, age 44, guilty of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a felony. The case stemmed from Napoli’s arrest by members of the Town of Shawangunk Police Department on April 19, 2015.

The evidence at trial established that on April 16, 2015 the defendant tied his housemate’s 6 year old huskie, Luna, to a tree in his back yard and shot her to death using a shotgun loaded with leaded birdshot.

Luna’s owner, a Pine Bush school teacher, was called as the prosecutor’s first witness.  She explained that she had adopted Luna as a rescue dog after Luna was left, abandoned, tied to a tree and that she and her family loved Luna as much as if Luna were her own daughter. She testified that on April 16^th, just as her students were getting on the bus, she received calls and texts from the defendant threatening that if she did not take Luna to the pound he was going to f…..ing kill her. She immediately sped home to get Luna and move to a safe place. When she arrived home Luna was tied to a tree but seemed unharmed, physically.  She went into the house to pack a couple of personal items to leave when she heard two gunshots and heard Luna yelp.

At trial the defendant took the stand in his own defense and testified to the jury that he came home and found Luna standing over his deceased cat. He testified he believed Luna killed his cat, although he did not witness his cat die, and, on cross examination, admitted that he had a pitbull which also resided in the home at the time, and that Luna had never acted aggressively toward the cat. Defendant further testified that after giving his roommate the option of taking Luna to the pound or shooting her, the roommate acquiesced to him shooting Luna to death, which Luna’s owner adamantly denied.

Defendant has a lengthy criminal history of Alcohol related offenses which under, New York State Law, the jury was not entitled to hear about. In addition, the defendant has a pending charge of Felony Driving While Intoxicated in Orange County.

Sentencing is scheduled on April 22, 2016 in front of Judge Donald Williams. He faces a sentence of up to two years in jail.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Paul Derohannesian and Emmanuel Nneji. The defendant was represented by attorney Thomas Petro.  

Press Release - Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE - CONSUMER BILL OF RIGHTS REGARDING TAX PREPARERS

Taxpayers who use the services of paid tax preparers are entitled to protection from unfair treatment, according to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs (340-3260).

While most tax preparers act within the law and treat their clients fairly, there are some that don’t. The Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers describes your rights and contains important information about how to protect yourself from unfair practices. This publication is available from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website at www.tax.ny.gov, or call 518-457-5181.

Press Release - Durwin Ennist

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 24, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE - DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES -  KINGSTON MAN  SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF MINOR

Durwin Ennist, AKA “Charms”, 34, of 380 Boulevard, Kingston, was sentenced Tuesday, February 23, 2016, in Ulster County Court by County Court Judge Donald A. Williams for his conviction to Rape in the Second Degree.  Ennist received a sentence of five years in prison and ten years post-release supervision.  He will be required to register under the New York State Sexual Offender Registration Act for at least twenty years.  Additionally, a full “Stay Away” Order of Protection was issued for the victim until 2039.  Ennist was also ordered to pay $1,425.00 in court fees.

The case stems from an incident where the defendant, Ennist, engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim, 14, at 121 Clinton Ave., City of Kingston, on January 1, 2015, in the early morning hours. 

The defendant was represented by Mariann Connolly, Esq. of Kingston,New York.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney, Joey Drillings.

 

Press Release - Maureen Leggett Plea

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2015

RE: PRESS RELEASE – MAUREEN LEGGETT

Maureen Leggett, 53, from Red Hook, pled guilty on Friday, February 19, 2016 in County Court to the class D felony of grand larceny in the third degree.  

Leggett working as a bookkeeper in charge of financial matters for a local business in Ulster Park stole a total of $155,594.00 over a period from January 23, 2013 to April 6, 2015.  Leggett’s criminal pattern included unlawful use of the business credit card, of the owner’s personal credit card, unlawfully writing checks and depositing the stolen monies into her husband’s account. This is the defendant’s third felony arrest for Grand Larceny and Falsifying Business Records. She was convicted in both 2006 and 2009 for similar schemes.  

Leggett is scheduled to be sentenced in Ulster County Court on April 22, 2016. She faces up to 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Mila Schutzman.  Leggett is represented by Mitch Spinac, Esq. and Carol Morgan, Esq. of Kingston. 

Press Release - Tonya Valk Sentence

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: FEBRUARY 18, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE – TONYA VALK SENTENCE

Tonya Valk, 45, from Saugerties, was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in state prison and ordered to pay restitution totaling $227,904.00 for her conviction to the charge of Grand Larceny in the third degree.

Valk’s charges stem from when she was working as a bookkeeper of an Ulster County business in charge of financial matters, including payroll, from January 1, 2008 to May 11, 2013.  Valk’s criminal pattern included forging checks and padding her salary with unauthorized increases. She was able to hide her embezzlement for years by generating false banks statements which she submitted to the company’s partners.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Mila Schutzman.  Valk is represented by Jeremiah Flaherty, Esq. of Kerhonkson.