Press Release - William M. Knox appeal

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: DECEMBER 27, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE – WILLIAM M. KNOX APPEAL

On November 6, 2015 William M. Knox was convicted by an Ulster County jury of Criminal Contempt in the second degree.  In appealing his conviction, the defendant argued that County Court’s ruling allowing the prosecution to introduce evidence of defendant’s prior violent, controlling, and abusive behavior against the victim was in error.

In rejecting defendant’s argument the Appellate Division ruled that County Court properly weighed the potential prejudicial effect of such evidence against its materiality and relevance to prove defendant’s motive, absence of mistake or accident and proof of the nature of defendant’s relationship with the victim.

On appeal defendant was represented by attorney Terrence M. Kelly of Albany, New York.  The Ulster County District Attorney’s office was represented by Assistant District Attorney Paul Derohannesian.

Press Release - Akhenaton Russell appeal

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: DECEMBER 27, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE – AKHENATON RUSSELL APPEAL

The Appellate Division, Third Department, has affirmed the February 11, 2016 verdict convicting Akhenation Russell of the crime of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, third degree (two counts).  Following the jury’s, verdict defendant, who has a prior violent felony conviction, was sentenced in Ulster County Court to nine years in prison.

The defendant raised three issues on appeal.  He argued that he had not received a pretrial identification notice, he argued that the court erred in allowing the jury to have transcripts of the controlled buy recordings; and he argued that his sentence was excessive.  In affirming defendant’s conviction the Appellate Division rejected each of defendant’s arguments.

Attorney David Woodin of Catskill, New York, represented the defendant on appeal.  Assistant District Attorney Joan Gudesblatt Lamb was appellate counsel representing the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.

Press Release - Beware the Puppy Scam

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: DECEMBER 20, 2018

RE: PRESS RELEASE - BEWARE THE PUPPY SCAM

You want to buy a puppy, so you look online for breeders. You come across a website that appears to be run by a dog breeder who has puppies for sale. There are photos of the puppies and guarantees of their health and vaccinations. There are even glowing testimonials. The prices of these puppies are lower than those of other breeders (or perhaps even free). You email the breeder. The puppy is still available and the breeder is happy to ship it to you. All you need to do is use a wire transfer (or other untraceable method) to send money to the breeder. Don’t do it. The scammer won’t send the puppy because the dog doesn’t exist. The scammer simply stole the pictures and other information from a legitimate breeders’ website.

To avoid this scam, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs advises:

·       Always visit the breeder. Responsible breeders and local rescue groups will be more than happy to offer you a tour.

·       Pick up your puppy at the kennel. Don’t rely on the breeder to ship the puppy.

·       Check references. Talk to others who have purchased pets from this breeder and the veterinarian the breeder works with.

·       Pay with check or credit card. If a breeder pressures you to pay by wire transfer or prepaid debit card, it’s likely a scam.

Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.

Press Release - "Welcome to Marwen"

RE: ‘WELCOME TO MARWEN’

On April 8, 2000 at approximately 2AM a 39 year old Army Vet left the Loony Tune Saloon on East Chester Street in Kingston.  Five men beat,kicked and stomped him and left him in the roadway.  A woman, coming home from work almost ran his over, stopped, gave him aid and called for help.

For the next ten days the victim remained in a coma. He was not expected to survive his injuries.  When he came out of the coma he did not recognize his family, had no recall of the assault and in fact thought he was still in the Army.

‘Welcome to Marwen’ is a movie based on the assault, the arrest and prosecution of the five men involved and the extraordinary therapeutic process the victim went through. The case was prosecuted by Ulster County Sr. Assistant District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji who also assisted in the making of a 2002 documentary which became the basis of this film.

Emmanuel is one of many amazing, dedicated, Assistant District Attorneys who represent the People of Ulster County.

Press Release - Seth Lyons sentence

FROM:  HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE:  DECEMBER 17, 2018

RE:  PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V. SETH LYONS

On December 17, 2018, Seth Lyons was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison on his conviction to Murder in the second degree.

Lyons was charged by Indictment with Murder in the Second Degree for beating Anthony Garro, Jr., to death.  Garro was found deceased under the Elmendorf St. Bridge during the early morning hours of November 29^th, 2017.  An intensive investigation by members of the City of Kingston Police Department and the New York State Police led to Lyons, who was located in the City of Kingston that same morning.  Lyons was subsequently arrested and charged with Murder in the Second Degree.

At trial, the defense argued that Lyons was experiencing an Extreme Emotional Disturbance at the time of the murder resulting from a combination of mental illness, chronic drug abuse and sleep deprivation, thereby committing the lesser crime of Manslaughter in the First Degree. 

However, the prosecution countered by offering evidence that the defendant had an acute recollection of the murder demonstrating an awareness of his actions that belied the defense of Extreme Emotional Disturbance.

During today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Williams heard from family members of Anthony Garro Jr.  Addressing the court were the victim’s parents, Anthony and Marianne Garro, his Aunt, Rebecca Garro, his sister, Dawn Garro, and his long-time partner, Laurie Difalco.  All who spoke recounted stories of Anthony’s childhood and his kind and generous spirit.  They each described Anthony Garro, Jr. as a beloved man who will always be remembered as someone who put others before himself and who will be greatly missed.

In pronouncing sentence, Judge Williams cited the brutality of the murder, as well as Lyons’ complete lack of remorse for why the maximum was the appropriate sentence.  

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Kavanagh and Senior Assistant District Attorney Lisa Bondarenka. The defendant was represented by Bryan Rounds, Kingston, New York.