They Don’t Show, May Never Show, Prosecutor Asserts With No Bail, 2 Skip Trials By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN – If Monday, Oct. 19, was a test-run on whether the accused would show up for trial under the state’s new bail reform, Otsego County failed. “We’re two-for-two on no-shows,” said District Attorney John Muehl. “I knew this is exactly what was going to happen.” Neither Joseph Mitchell, 36, New York City, or Eddie Holton, 35, Binghamton, showed…
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CLICK TO WATCH TODAY’S EVENT Salka Press Conference Begins Tour Promoting Overturning Bail Reform If Elected, Oberacker Vows To Introduce Senate Companion Legislation ‘On Jan. 1’ By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com WAMPSVILLE – On the steps of the Madison County Courthouse here this morning, Assemblyman John Salka, R-121, announced his introduction of Bill A11067, which he said, if approved, would repeal the Democratic majority’s controversial bail reforms of 2019. Salka said he plans to hold similar press conferences…
Salka To Announce Unveiling Of Bill Repealing Bail Reform WAMPSVILLE – Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, has announced he will unveil Bill A11067 that, if passed, would “completely” repeal last year’s bail reform, at a press conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Madison County Courthouse. He will be accompanied by Madison County Sheriff Todd Hodd. Salka’s district includes Madison, Otsego and parts of Oneida counties.…
LETTER from DAN BUTTERMANN Needed Bail Reform Needs More Reform The intent of New York State’s bail reform law was good – to make the pretrial process equal for all and free from bias. However, the reform bill passed in 2019 had flaws. Although I fully agree that the enacted law needs reform, we cannot return to a system that allows for punishment before a conviction. At the same time, our system must be sufficiently flexible to ensure violent criminals…
‘Bail Reform Nightmare’ Requires Delaware Sheriff To Ignore Better Instincts Suspect In Forcible Home Entry Released By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com DELHI – It’s another example of “the bail reform nightmare,” said Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond after he was required this week to release a suspect who allegedly forced his way into a Walton home, stole prescription drugs and choked a female occupant. “It is still very difficult for me to fathom a world where a criminal…
Bail Reform Support Plummets, Poll Says ALBANY – A new poll out Monday shows support for the state’s bail reform plummeting, following weeks of pushback about the new laws from police groups and prosecutors, North County Public Radio is reporting. The Siena College poll finds that just one third of New Yorkers now think that the January 1 laws that ended most forms of cash bail for non-violent crimes and shortened the time prosecutors have to hand over evidence to…
D.A. Expecting 50% Dip In Prosecutions By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.ALLOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN Under bail reform, county Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. worried dangerous suspects would be freed – and, locally, one stole a truck a day after he was released. Now, under new rules of evidence, also part of the state’s criminal justice reforms, District Attorney John Muehl worries he’ll be unable to prosecute as many suspected criminals. “Arrests are way down already,” said Muehl. “Hopefully things will get…
#1 PRIORITY: RETHINKING BAIL REFORM Address ‘Storm Clouds’ On NY Budget Horizon, Seward Tells Committee…
VIEW FROM ALBANY Job #1: Halt Outmigration, Then Deficit, Bail Reform By State Sen. JAMES SEWARD • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The 2020 New York State legislative session got its official start a few days ago with the governor’s State of the State address. While the governor mentioned a few ideas I can back, for the most part, he glossed over or completely ignored some of the toughest challenges facing our state. New York State is losing population at an alarming…
Reprinted From Last Week’s Freeman’s, Hometown Oneonta With Stolen Truck, Bail Reform Hits Home FREED INMATE RE-ARRESTED WITHIN HOURS By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com James Sitts ONEONTA – Within three days of being released from the custody of the Otsego County Corrections under the state’s new bail reform, James C. Sitts, 39, Laurens, allegedly stole a pick-up truck from a residence in Laurens. “He was awaiting trial on two home invasions,” said Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. “But…
