We were pleased to see that the New York Times, the nation's paper of record, points out the same issue the Troy Polloi pointed out: District Attorney Abelove's actions are a strong argument for Governor Cuomo's Executive Order granting the Office of the Attorney General jurisdiction over cases of police shootings that involved unarmed civilians.
The New York Times has called for the removal of the Rensselaer County District Attorney:
He hastily took the case before a grand jury — just five days after the shooting — and the jury failed to indict the officer.
News accounts have raised troubling questions about Mr. Abelove’s handling of the case. For example, The Albany Times Union this month reported that Mr. Abelove had failed to call two people who witnessed the episode. The newspaper subsequently reported that Mr. Abelove took the unusual step of giving the police officer immunity in the grand jury proceeding — even though he should have been the subject of the investigation.
Granted, it is only the New York Times. It's not as if it's the New York Post, but the editorial is damning. The Times does not say where Mr. Abelove should be removed to.
Abelove's actions are causing unintended consequences as well:
Joseph Ahearn is seeking County Judge Andrew Ceresia's permission to return to court to question Sgt. Randall French about the fatal wounding of Edson Thevenin in an effort to impeach the officer's credibility as a witness.
Abelove is personally prosecuting the case against Ahearn's client, Jacob Heimroth, who is accused of killing Maria and Allen Lockrow in Lansingburgh in 2014. Heimorth faces first-degree murder and other charges. The district attorney had no comment on Ahearn's motion.
In addition, the Thevenin family has filed a notice of claim for the death of Edson Thevenin. This is not an unusual move and it does not guarantee that a suit will ultimately be filed. However, Abelove's actions have made the success of such a suit much more likely than it would have been had Abelove followed the law.
If Abelove had done what he was supposed to do, Sergeant French may have been cleared without any lingering doubts. There is no reason to doubt French's version of events. There's nothing in the officer's background that would suggest this was anything other than a good shoot.
But then Joel leapt into action. Is it inconceivable that a jury might find the rush to the grand jury as well as the grant of immunity suspicious? Will Joel be called to testify? What an examination that will be:
1) Rush to the Grand Jury in less than a week;
2) No toxicology report;
3) Did not bother to find two witnesses or interview them;
4) Gave the subject of the grand jury immunity from prosecution.
What are they hiding? Probably nothing, which is the real crime here. French did what he was trained to do. If handled correctly this would have gone away. Now, it's a shit sandwich.
Did Abelove think he would curry favor with the PBA? Did he think he would make a name for himself by taking on Governor Cuomo? If the latter, didn't he think it would be better to take on Cuomo from a position of strength, follow the law and then commence your challenge?
The SS Abelove is taking on water. ADA's, we suggest you find a lifeboat before the ship goes down.
The New York Times is right: Abelove needs to resign or he should be removed.
Have a nice weekend.
This episode of Mr. District Attorney brought to you by:
The Extra-Douchey energy drink!
78 comments:
Hooooo hooooo hooooo hooooo
If there's a lord in heaven he will see to it that Gary Gotdon and Joel Abelove are arrested the same day.
Trust me, by the time it all comes out you will be able to make "mr. District Attorney" a series!
NY Times
Times Union
The polloi
Gov Cuomo
Attorney General
All pissed at Joel.
That's enough for me
I'll be donating to Joel realection.
So, everyone us wrong except Joel? If you want to waste your money, go for it. You need to lay partisanship aside. There is a big problem with Joel's actions. Your inability to recognize that diminishes your credibility.
....you left out the New York Post��
What does Gary Gordon have to do with this post? Keep deflecting!
It would make a great tv series...wonder what "Corky" from "Life Goes On " is doing these days.
At 12:53, save your money for a spelling lesson.
Not likely he will last long enough to run for "realection" - maybe you can contribute to a legal fund to defend him from removal or ethics charges. BTW this is not a political or partisan issue - don't see any reasonable explanation for his actions. Maybe - "excuse me", "I forgot"?
What's a realection?
At 11:32, what's Gotdon got to do with this?
This is so great. Joel's self destructing faster than the Democratic party's wildest dreams. Seriously, not even the Dems predicted you wingnuts could produce a District Attorney worse than Trish D'Angelis. But you did it! Thank you.
Joel's going down faster than a fat kid on a seesaw!
Didn't DA Lunch Pail McNally win only by the absentee ballots??
Remember all those handpicked ADAs that ran from Joel's office like it was on fire? Now we know why.
"Realaction"? I see Kim McPherson is commenting again.
Poor Joel. If my dog had that head I'd shave its ass and teach it to walk backwards.
LOL
Or city employee lookin for raise
10:11-- it's Memorial Day. Joel's served oversea's, and still serves What have you done besides hide behind your keyboard? GBA
Just so no one is confused, it is Memorial Day not Veterans Day, and Mr. Abelove is still alive....
Does this put Mr. Abelove beyond criticism?
Ok Joel
Interesting since he has trouble understanding the concept of chain of command.
Regardless of what day it is, the man has served for many years. And no, he doesn't deserve a pass --as he's an elected official. Im just a fellow vet, who was never deployed, and think everyone should take a day away from the hate
It is disgusting what passes for justice these days on the third floor of the Rensselaer County Courthouse
I don't see anything hateful in this post. Mr. Abelove's not being personally attacked. This is all job related and a matter of public concern.
Don't you know, any criticism of a Republican is hateful, while criticism of Democrats is just good government.
Why? Abelove doesnt
Not really. It just seems that Troy dems are indicted or investigated on a more regular basis.
Ha. Good point 3:51
U mean the Davis penguin?
True, a few Dem clowns pled guilty to voter fraud. Can't argue that. Then, we have Harry's use of code enforcement for political retribution, DeAngelis' problem with numerous instances of prosecutorial misconduct, Mahar's issues down at the jail and Abelove's passing on prosecuting his GOP friends.
So what is worse, a few idiots trying to steal votes or the systematic abuse of government. Maybe they're equally bad. Maybe not.
Weren't two found not guilty and the charges dropped against many of the others?
Was that Shamu the Great White Whale in the parade yesterday?
Beluga?
Let's not forget Eddy Mac senior. Another fine democrat.
In your zeal to criticize Joel, not one word about Cuomo pandering to the cop-hating losers such as BLM, and then sucking up to the Reverend Al on PMSNBC.
People angry over the shootings of unarmed black males, some of whom have been shot in the back, are losers? You don't have to agree with their obnoxious tactics, but to deny that there is an issue, is another matter.
Phana, typically you post evenhanded comments. this seems unlike you. I don't agree with some groups and their tactics, but I wouldn't give them a blanket label of "loser." Perhaps they believed the only way they could be heard was by being loud and extreme in some cases. They did achieve their goal.
You don't have to understand their anger or agree with it, but to dismiss it out of hand, in the face of the overwhelming evidence that there is an issue, seems short-sighted. Perhaps if we took the time to understand the views of those we disagree with, our civil discourse might be elevated.
All lives do matter, but it is the unarmed black male that stands a much better chance of being shot by police than the unarmed white male. Many of the shootings will be justified, but cell phone video has shown some disturbing incidents.
Just my two cents. Ciao, amigo
$300.000 for Karam $250,000 for his lawyer comp for life, Russo called a racist and we still have two more law suits in the works. Could the AG be looking into the Sheriffs office?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta love Rensco Republicans. Way to go Rich Crist! Find some more whack jobs for public office!
More Republican incompetence. Mahar was a total disgrace and he's STILL costing us money. Abelove's making us a laughingstock and will soon be removed from office, an unprecedented step. DeAngelis almost looks competent by comparison and she was trashed by every Republican criminal lawyer in the Capital District. Where does the GOP get these clowns?
On a good year, about 35,000 people vote in Rensselaer County. The next election for DA will bring out major numbers of voters and the Democrat will overwhelmingly destroy the Republican thanks to the arrogance and plain stupidity of Abelove
News channel 10 reporting Thevinen family lawsuit filed claiming Abelove conspired with Tedescos to conceal evidence. Also claim Abelove promised immunity to French.
I know a couple of rectums that are slamming shut after today's lawsuit filing
Where was Abelove when Lou and the democratic council were in office. We sure could have used him then.
Black lives matter. When it works to our advantage. Group of white Hippocrates.
He was too busy NOT prosecuting his fellow republican criminals
Yes indeed. Joel and Teddy better get themselves a couple of good lawyers. Rensselaer County taxpayers get prepared to take it up the ass once again thanks to the Republicans.
Your insane if you think something like this is going to improve voter turn out. This is a republican county....plain and simple.
7:48. Marty was charged, and rightfully so - but what's up with Guluski? Why does he get a pass. Has enough money to take a cruise though.
$300,000 settlement in Karam suit against Mahar. Slap on the wrist for Vanessa Mulligan's murderer. No Uncle Sam parade this year. Anything else the Republicans screwed up today?
Marty was charged by the AG after Abelove refused to prosecute. Get your facts straight
That's only one of the many lawsuits against Mahar.
Why no parade??
OK 5.41,fair points. My problem with BLM involves the number of nutcase radicals it attracts. I also found the scum that supported(or at least mourned) Faisson the local equivalent of the loser contingent.
However, I suppose the majority are simply tired of seeing some of the shootings you referenced. My concern is that our very ambitious AG will be happy to hang Sgt French out to dry, just to satisfy the radicals and their enablers in the liberal media. You are correct I should have chosen my words more clearly. Mea Culpa.
So why was Guluski spared?
A women and unborn baby are murdered. A young man will spend almost the rest of his life in jail and you're all playing politics. You people need help.
You Morons Forgot About The Two Biggest Lawsuits In RENSCO'S History !~~!
Cops Testimony Almost Always Is Treated As Truth In Jury Trials !~~!
When did The Troy Polloi become The RensCoMingler?
Huh, if more people would read the ignorant remarks posted on here, the voter turn out would be huge. Republican screw ups draining us tax payers with their bs! Time for the Dems to take over!
No Uncle Sam Parade. Thanks a lot, Troy Republicans. Jim Gordon strikes again!
I don't see how the Thevinin's can sue for 'conspiracy.' The conspiracy did not cause the death as it happened after the death. Any stink of cover-up would make a liability finding more likely though.
French probably did everything he was trained to do and if the Joel and Teddy show did everything by the book this would be behind us and more importantly, behind French.
The young man who will spend the rest of his life in jail is his own fault, so I hope compassion was not what your looking for.
How exactly is that Jim Gordons fault you moron??
10:49 I see what you did there.
As I feel sorry for the murdered women and her family, I have to say she was involved with a gang member who had a girlfriend and it couldn't be expected that it was gonna end well.
Your so worried about the parade why don't you put your money where your mouth is and donate so they can have the parade. Plan a fundraiser do something instead of trying to blame people.
How do you know I haven't, asshole? Have you donated? I'm so glad I threw my money down a Republican black hole. Another taxpayer screwed by the Rensco GOP.
manslaughter in the first degree is a B violent felony which can be punished by up to 25 years in prison. Arson in the second degree is also a B felony, which is also punishable by up to 25 years. these were two separate acts, and therefore, Vega (the guy recently convicted for killing the young woman and her unborn baby) can be sentenced consecutively, which means 25 plus 25 for a total of 50 years. I don't think that's a bad outcome, and whoever thinks this was a screw-up by the ADA prosecuting the case really needs to get a clue before complaining about things they likely know very little about.
You are seriously clueless if you think manslaughter is a good outcome when the top count was second degree murder
Here Here!!!
Hi Bob Cox
I don't need to donate because I don't care about the parade nor am I on a blog bitching about it blaming others. But I will surely bet you haven't done one thing to ensure the parade.
Nice post Harry
10:19, aren't you hiding behind a keyboard yourself? Kind of hypocratic don't you think
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