People v Kenneth Stahli conviction

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: MAY 8, 2015

RE: PEOPLE V KENNETH STAHLI

A jury of 7 women and 5 men returned a verdict of guilty of Murder in the second degree against Kenneth Stahli at 10:30 AM on May 8^th.  The jury found that Stahli, evincing depraved indifference to human life, inflicted multiple, separate, acts of physical abuse against 2 year old Mason Decosmo over a course of several days causing his death. 

“Nothing we have done can undo what has happened to Mason but, frankly, the idea of releasing this defendant to the public was untenable.  My sincerest empathy goes to the men and women on the jury. This was a lot to ask them.  We are all very grateful for their service”.

The case is scheduled for sentencing June 4^th, 2015 before Judge Donald A. Williams.

Press Release - Tyler Grable Plea

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: MAY 2, 2015

RE: PRESS RELEASE – TYLER J. GRABLE PLEA

Tyler J. Grable, age 23 of Romney Way, Cottekill, New York, entered a guilty plea to Manslaughter in the second degree, Vehicular Manslaughter in the second degree and Vehicular Assault in the first degree in Ulster County Court before Acting County Court Judge Richard Mott.

Grable was previously indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury in February of 2015 of Manslaughter in the second degree and eight related counts.  The charges stem from a two vehicle crash at the intersection of Cottekill Road and Lucas Avenue in the Town of Rosendale on September 26, 2014 at 7:00 PM.  As a result of the crash, the driver of the other vehicle, age 50, was killed and her 19 year old son, a front seat passenger, was seriously injured.

The case was investigated by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. Grable’s blood alcohol content was .15 BAC and his blood also contained active marijuana metabolites.  During the plea, Grable admitted driving in excess of 50 miles per hour through the stop sign at the intersection, making no effort to slow down, and causing the victim’s death.

Grable was represented by Kevin Harp of the law firm Mainetti, Mainetti and O’Connor. The case was prosecuted by Sr. Assistant District Attorney Gerard VanLoan.

Press Release - John Benkert

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: APRIL 28, 2015

RE: PRESS RELEASE – JOHN BENKERT

John Benkert, 51, from Hurley, pled guilty on Monday, April 27, 2015 in County Court before the Hon. Anthony McGinty to the class C felony of grand larceny in the second degree and scheme to defraud in the first degree, a class E felony. 

During his plea allocution, Benkert admitted to stealing in excess of $320,000 from local businessmen and friends using fraudulent pretenses.  

Benkert was arrested after a long-term investigation by the New York State Police and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office which revealed that his scheme involved the alleged development of a legal marijuana farm, as well as the purchase and development of a mall in the State of Connecticut.  Based on promises of a quick investment turnaround with substantial profit, investors lent him funds at a time when Benkert had no intention or financial capability of repaying the advances.  

Benkert is scheduled to be sentenced in Ulster County Court on August 5, 2015.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Mila Schutzman.  Benkert is represented by Thomas K. Petro, Esq. of Kingston. 

Press Release - Disaster Relief Fraud Alert

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: APRIL 28, 2015

RE: PRESS RELEASE - DISASTER RELIEF FRAUD ALERT

The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Nepal to use caution before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for charitable organizations.

Before making a donation of any kind, consumers should:

•    Not respond to any spam e-mail or click on links contained within those messages;

•    Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as survivors or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites;

•    Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations;

•    Be  cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses;

•    Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf;

•    Do not give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

Spam e-mail can be forwarded to spam@uce.gov and then deleted. Consumer Affairs can be reached at 845- 340-3260.

                                                                

Press Release - People v Christopher Holmes

FROM:      HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

           ULSTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DATE:      APRIL 27, 2015

SUBJECT:   PRESS RELEASE – CHRISTOPHER HOLMES

On April 24, 2015, after a 5 day trial, a jury of six men and six women returned a verdict finding Christopher Holmes, age 52, of Ellenville, New York, guilty of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony. 

On February 26, 2014, members of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office located Holmes carrying stolen computer equipment and jewelry. The items were determined to be the proceeds of a home burglary that had occurred earlier that day.  Holmes has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1990, much of it theft-related. That history includes three prior felony convictions.

The trial was presided over by Judge Donald Williams.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Klein and the defendant was represented by Amy Attias.  Sentencing has been adjourned to June 26, 2015.