Press Release - Sarra Gilbert

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: JULY 25, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE – SARRA GILBERT

Following is a Press Release issued by the Ellenville Police Department regarding the arrest of Sarra Gilbert on the charge of Murder in the second degree.  Gilbert is being held in the Ulster County Jail without bail pending action of the Ulster County Grand Jury.

Gilbert had been indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury on May 12, 2016 for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and Endangering the Welfare of a Child for an incident that took place on February 19, 2016 concerning the intentional drowning of a puppy.  That indictment remains pending.

Gilbert’s arrest follows two other domestic violence murders this Summer, People v Earl Edwards and People v Karon Bowden, and a fourth homicide, People v Kayla Pagan, regarding the death of a ten month old child. Both Edwards and Bowden have been indicted for Murder in the second degree.  Pagan is pending the action of the Grand Jury.

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                                                                     PRESS RELEASE

The Ellenville Police Department in conjunction with the New York State Police in Ellenville, Ulster County Sheriff Department, and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office are still actively conducting an investigation into a homicide that occurred in the Village of Ellenville on Saturday July 23, 2016, in the early morning hours. At this point, the following information has been developed as a result of this investigation. At 1:45pm on Saturday July 23, 2016, a call was made to the Ellenville Police Department from the sister Sherre Gilbert requesting that the police go to 9 Warren Street Apartment 2 to check on the Welfare of her mother Mari Gilbert. Officers arrived, observed the mother’s car in the driveway, and attempted to make contact, having no answer at the door, they began to check all windows for access. One of the officers observed through a window what appeared to be a body lying on the floor, he immediately called for the rescue squad to respond. The Officer immediately made entry into the residence, and was observed by Sarra Gilbert in the kitchen area. Ms Gilbert had blood on her clothing, and she was detained by police at the scene. She was later taken to the Ellenville Police Department for questioning, and as previously stated has been charged with Murder in the Second Degree in connection with this incident. 

The scene was secured, and investigation was launched as previously reported. The Medical examiner responded to the scene, and the body was taken to the Kingston Hospital for an autopsy. The autopsy was conducted this morning Monday July 25, 2016 at 715am in Kingston by Dr Michael Sikiricka, and the official cause of death listed as homicide, due to multiple stab wounds. 

Police have recovered what they believe to be the weapon used in this case at the scene. The investigation is continuing at this time.   

Press Release - Robert Lunan Appeal

PRESS RELEASE

FROM:     HOLLEY CARNRIGHT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY

DATE:     JULY 21, 2016

The Appellate Division, Third Department has today unanimously affirmed the February 25, 2014 conviction of Robert Lunan upon a plea of guilty convicting him of the crime of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony. 

Defendant’s conviction stems from a series of thefts which occurred first in the Town of Ulster in July, 2013 and then in the Town of Esopus in August, 2013.  During that time period, the defendant stole rims, tires and a tailgate from cars parked in the Romeo Chevrolet lot and, a month later, stole a variety of items from a vacant dwelling in the Town of Esopus. 

Pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement, defendant, a second felony offender, waived indictment and pled guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree as charged in a superior court indictment in exchange for the maximum indeterminate sentence of two to four years and restitution in the amount of $1,500.  On February 25, 2014, the defendant was sentenced by County Court Judge Donald Williams to the agreed upon term of imprisonment. 

On appeal, defendant challenged the waiver of appeal which he executed as part of the plea agreement and argued that his plea was not knowingly and voluntarily given.  While the Appellate Division, Third Department concluded that defendant’s waiver of appeal was in fact invalid, it found defendant’s challenge to the voluntariness of his plea unpreserved for review.

On appeal, the defendant is represented by Barrett D. Mack, Esq. of Albany, New York.  Assistant District Attorney Joan Gudesblatt Lamb, Esq. handled the appeal for the District Attorney’s Office.

Press Release - Karon Bowden Indictment

 
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE:JULY 15, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE - DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES:  SHOOTER INDICTED FOR MURDER OF GIRLFRIEND IN SAUGERTIES

An Ulster County Grand Jury handed up an indictment Friday, July 15, 2016, charging Karon Bowden, 41, of 26 Randall Court, Saugerties, with Murder in the Second Degree.  The two count indictment also contains the charge of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” violent felony.  Bowden is accused of intentionally causing the death of Amy Louise Burger.    

Bowden was arrested on May 31, 2016, by members of the Saugerties Police Department.  The Saugerties Police Department was assisted in its investigation of this matter by members of the New York State Police, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.  A preliminary hearing was held in the Town of Saugerties Justice Court on June 6, 2016 before Honorable Claudia Andreassen. 

Ulster County District Attorney, Holley Carnright stated, “The quest to dominate another human being is at the root of most domestic violence.  Causing death is the ultimate act of power and control over another person.  It is tragic that Ms. Burger lost her life to a man she once loved and trusted.”      

Special Victims Bureau, Chief Katherine R. Van Loan, is handling the case for the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.  The defendant is represented by Russell Schindler, Esq., of the Ulster County Public Defender’s Office. 

Press Release - Auto Warranty Solicitations

TO: MEDIA

FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT

DATE: JULY 14, 2016

RE: PRESS RELEASE – AUTO WARRANTY SOLICITATIONS

The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs is warning consumers to be wary of telemarketing calls and mailers which claim their auto warranty has or is about to expire. Consumer Affairs advises that deceptive solicitations could persuade car owners to purchase an extended auto service contract of questionable value. Despite the impression given, these offers are not associated with the car manufacturer’s warranty. Consumers are advised to…

• Get a contract in which all terms and conditions are clearly explained before signing up or providing credit card or other payment information.
• Read your auto manufacturer’s warranty and contact your dealer or manufacturer to avoid purchasing duplicate coverage.
• Check out the company beforehand. What is its physical location and reputation?
•  

Consumer Affairs can be reached at 340-3260.

TWO ELLENVILLE MEN ENTER GUILTY PLEAS IN REGARDS TO HOME INVASION CASE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY D. HOLLEY CARNRIGHT ANNOUNCES:  TWO ELLENVILLE MEN ENTER GUILTY PLEAS IN REGARDS TO HOME INVASION CASE 

Lonnie Taylor, age 35, and Nickolas Torres, age 22, both pled guilty Thursday, July 7, 2016 in Ulster County Court before the Hon. Donald Williams to Burglary in the First Degree, a class B violent felony. 

The case arose from an incident which took place on January 7, 2016, when Taylor, Torres, and a third co-defendant, Davonte Jones, armed with a shotgun and two handguns entered Torres’s ex-girlfriend’s apartment. In addition to the guns, defendants also brought duct tape and zip ties. The victim was at home with another adult, babysitting four children. A ten year old and his two younger twin sisters, as well as a two year old were all at the apartment. The defendants demanded money and drugs when they walked into the apartment. The defendants then ziptied the wrists and duct-taped the mouths of each victim, except the two year old girl.  

The defendants took the victims cellphones, cash and wallet.  The adult male jumped out of a window when the defendants left in order to call 911. Ellenville Police Department responded to the scene. Search warrants led to the recovery of the two handguns, duct tape, and one of the cell phones. The shotgun had been destroyed by one of the defendants and discarded piece by piece throughout the Village of Ellenville. An Ulster County Grand Jury later indicted Taylor, Torres and Jones for burglary in the first degree and other crimes stemming from the home invasion. 

Taylor and Torres face lengthy prison terms and will be sentenced on September 8^th and 9^th, 2016. Jones’ case remains pending at this time.  

The case is being prosecuted by Ulster County Assistant District Attorneys Joey Z. Drillings and Carly P. Wolfrom.  Torres is represented by Edward Bruno, Esq. and Taylor is represented by Glenn Kroll, Esq.