District Attorney Joel Abelove's race to the Grand Jury with the Thevenin death just gets more interesting each day.
The Times Union had this story on Saturday and this story yesterday.
From Saturday's story:
"Two civilians who witnessed the fatal shooting of a DWI suspect by a Troy police sergeant were not called to testify before a Rensselaer County grand jury that cleared the officer of wrongdoing last week, according to a person briefed on the investigation.
One of the witnesses is a Troy business owner who told the Times Union Friday that he saw the entire incident unfold and gave city police a written statement. He confirmed the office of District Attorney Joel Abelove did not ask him to testify before the grand jury."
From Tuesday's story:
A Cohoes man told investigators with the state attorney general's office Tuesday that he didn't think a Troy police sergeant was in danger when the officer fatally shot an unarmed DWI suspect following a brief car chase last month.
A person briefed on the investigation, but not authorized to comment publicly, said the 26-year-old man's description of what he saw unfold that night raises questions about public statements by Troy police officials and Rensselaer County prosecutors who said the officer lawfully opened fire as Edson Thevenin's vehicle pinned him against his police cruiser.
This is a process story. There was a process in place. One can criticize the process or approve of the process but there is a process. One official failed to follow that process and the result is many a raised eyebrow. Was there a need to convene a Grand Jury in less than a week? Was there a reason to disregard a lawful Executive Order?
Abelove has managed to set the perfect stage for activists, and others, to question the results of the investigation and Grand Jury. You don't like groups like Black Lives Matter? You don't want guys like Sharpton showing up? Why invite them? Studies have shown that an unarmed African-American male is twenty times more likely to be killed by police than an unarmed white male.* Some, many in fact, are legitimate killings. Others are highly suspect.
The question you have to ask is: Is Abelove intentionally courting trouble or just in over his head? Also, why would he put French in this predicament?
There is one person to blame for this mess. It isn't French. It isn't Cuomo. It is your District Attorney. On top of Crist, Reid, the rapid departures of his hand-picked assistants and now this, the next election cannot come fast enough. Makes you long for the days of Trish.
* We understand this flies in the face of those who believe racism does not exist while reverse racism is the greatest problem in the country.
44 comments:
Joel needs to resign.
Just one example of our DA showing that he is not only arrogant but dumb
So we should just ignore the power grab by Cuomo,and assume that ambitious AG will conduct a fair and unbiased investigation? I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me that letting the AG handle everything would be leaving French out to dry.
I suspect that Abelove's motives are not pure as the wind-driven snow. However, for him to give up the case simply because the BLM agitators and our local SJW loons might not like it would be a disgrace.
Bye bye Joel. You self destructed even before your critics thought you would.
Abelove was told to hand over the investigation by the Attorney General, not "BLM agitators."
District Attorneys are law enforcement and have very close relationships with local police.
The purpose of the Executive Order that allows the AG to take over is to avoid the appearance of impropriety - that the District Attorney didn't conduct a thorough investigation.
If Abelove had half a brain, he would have turned the case over to the AG.
If Sgt. French was justified, he has nothing to worry about and he'll be cleared. Abelove's unlawful rush to present the case to the Grand Jury raises the exact concerns that the Executive Order was intended to prevent.
Where did I say the BLM clowns would take over the investigation? Please critique what I post, not what you infer. If the AG were as impartial as you imply, and the rationale for the EO was legitimate, I would agree with you.
If you were Sgt. French, are you really comfortable with a very ambitious AG anxious to run for a higher office steering this investigation? Lowering the boom on a cop in a small upstate county will play very well with the vocal and numerous downstate demographic that hates cops. Does the name de Blasio ring a bell?
I am not saying the AG is another Billy-boy, but this EO was opposed by DAs on both sides of the aisle. Where was our AG when he had Jon Corzine dead to rights? Yet he pursues an essentially dead case against Hank Greenburg. No one argues that Abelove's motives are pure, and that this was rushed. However, pretending there are no political agendas by the Governor and AG offices is disingenuous.
Democrat versus Republican. That's all this is. So we have to "gin" some people up to get it going. This is about the 911 tapes and a job offered in the AG's office to Gordon. This is also about Frank Merola tell the Gov to pound salt and not letting illegal immigrants to get drivers license from the DMV. The governor has Preet Bharara up his ass and Schneiderman know that he can't beat Bharara. We will all have "vindicated" tattoos by end of summer.
Unless there is evidence not yet disclosed - introducing racism into the shooting is both unwarranted and outrageous.
- Equating correlation and causation is a logical fallacy used by demagogues to argue for a conclusion. The fact that police kill a disproportionate number of African Americans (armed and unarmed actually) does not prove the shooting were BECAUSE of race. An even more disproportionate number of males than females are killed, as is true comparing the base age group of 15-35 to age groups above and below that category. This does not prove age or gender discrimination. The existence of racism throughout society is no doubt reflected in both police in general and the TPD, but an attempt to link this as a motive for the shooting is irresponsible absent evidence.
- The proper comparison group is among those in particular categories involved in confrontations with police, and those studies do not support your proposition. The most recent one suggests the opposite: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2016/04/27/this-study-found-race-matters-in-police-shootings-but-the-results-may-surprise-you/
- DA Abelove acted both improperly and perhaps illegally - a full and complete investigation into the Police shooting is necessary to determine whether it was justified or criminal .
In the meantime, use of the incident for political or ideological ends is both inflammatory and disgraceful.
At 3:54........keep dreaming
11:45 that is a great post
Phana, your acting like you know for a fact that the AGs office is looking to stick it to Sergeant French. Have a little faith, ambitious or not, this AG is not going to ruin an innocent man's life and it's silly and ridiculous that you would imply that. And irresponsible
PHANA You be tarded.
Case adjourned on the request of the AG? What?
Why would Joel do this to a Troy cop? Disgraceful to leave this hanging over French's head. he should have followed the rules.
That Big Wheel Just Keeps Going Around And Around And Around !~~!
8:02 I don't believe that. AG is under pressure to make this a successful test case. I see no reason to trust at this time
OK 8.02,you raise a legitimate point. However, when the words irresponsible and silly are tossed around,I simply ask that you review the Greenburg case and explain that documented silliness. Then take a look at the poster child for crony capitalism, Jon Corzine, and explain the AG's inaction.
10.15,don't go there. Many have tried and with an exception or two, many get schooled.
And they'll really be turning upon your anti-climatic return to Troy Bobby boy. 2 Warrants ---whatcha gonna do when they come for you
Fine mess we are in now. County has to,pay to private attorney lawsuit against Abelove, and to make matters worse - under executive order can be required tompaybfor cost of AG investigation. If fought all way to Court of Appeals will be way into 6 figures at taxpayer expense. This case should be settled now - turn over all documents. If AG investigation determines that the car was not used as a weapon, they can seek court permission to present to a new GJ - if not, case is over.
8:25 love the outrage. To bad you didn't feel this way during voter fraud. What was the total tax payer payment for that? Blowhard.
@8:25, I agree of the mess we are in but your last statement is what potentially is a big problem. You state if the AG determines if the car is a deadly weapon? If someone is driving a car at you (under law) it's a deadly weapon. But what if the AG says it's not for whatever reason, political or just being retaliatory? Sadly, maybe Joel isn't the brightest but I trust him more than the current AG and governor.
It wasn't enough that County Republicans blew hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on failed voter fraud prosecutions. Now taxpayers forced to pay even more to defend the incompetent Republican DA. Isn't he supposed to know the law? Disgraceful. When does it end?
8:25 indeed, what was the total for those expensive lengthy trials that netted ZERO guilty verdicts? But Jimino and Co. made sure their special prosecutor got paid, didn't they.
Point of order here slick. Voter fraud was real, and did happen. Direct your anger at Trey Smith, and others in your party for initially prosecuting the wrong guys. Mac, Mcgrath, the Browns, and Renna were the main conspirators -- as per the testimony given. It was all orchestrated very professionally, re: Trey Smith, and the puppet masters-- along with some at the state level--to use E-Mac, and half wit LoPorto as the scapegoats.
We seem to forget that all this mess was caused by a lowlife, refusing to comply with the law. Fuck him--he caused this. French did what he had too, to protect his own life, and the safety of anyone getting in the path of this dumb fuck.And I'm sure these witnesses, hanging on 8th St at 3am, are very credible. Wonder if Rodney mourns for this Mutt?
I hate to change the subject but I watched the council meeting last night and can anyone tell me why at the end of every meeting Lynn Kopka runs out the door like a cat with his balls cut off? I mean she was gone before the meeting was adjourned. I could understand Dean running out after he was bitch slap by McGrath for calling city resident stupid. Lynn also has a prepared speech at every meeting its obvious that her prepared speech comes from the mayors office because she looks to the mayor at the conclusion of every speech. Looking for adoration. It's not like she's running for a cheeseburger. That would be Gully.
Call LaPorto a half wit to his face and see what happens...Duke Forrest
Read the testimony. And come on--Trey Smith?
Do you have some kind of fixation on Lynn? Get a grip on your own balls, man
Troy has a great council. We got diversified members so we can kick butt and make some good changes. But as we ALLknow, their will always be haters..and haters gonna hate.
Slimy things always slither away first
Anonymous Anonymous said...
8:25 indeed, what was the total for those expensive lengthy trials that netted ZERO guilty verdicts? But Jimino and Co. made sure their special prosecutor got paid, didn't they.
What if Joel didn't ask French to waive immunity?
"Netted ZERO guilty verdicts" as John Brown if that true.
Like I says Haters gonna hate.
Not a guilty verdict after trial, Einstein
Yeah, intelligent discussion is becoming more of a rarity. Unfortunately, politics is entirely too involved in this matter, but it would be nice if people would try and be as objective as possible.
As a paragon of objectivity, I will weigh in. There is a lawful executive order implemented by the governor. It was a political response to what occurred in NYC and, like many such responses, was implemented too quickly and with more attention to politics than necessary.
This is not a Democrat-Republican issue with our District Attorney. It is more an institutional struggle. With that being acknowledged, it is hard to see Joel in the right here for a number of reasons. Most importantly, he appears to be using French as a test case and that is wrong. Furthermore, while many DA's of both parties wish to challenge this order, they do not want Joel leading The Charge of the Light Brigade.
Finally, the other witnesses should have presented to the Grand Jury. It is the Grand Jury's duty to determine the veracity or reliability of the witnesses. It all makes Joel look like he is hiding something or doing an end run. There is a reason Joel's victory had to wait on the absentee ballots in such a strong Republican year. He should have asked for a special prosecutor for Crist's case even if the charges were going to be dropped. He ignored Martin Reid and he cannot keep his own appointees in the office for more than a few weeks. Then, he gave a rookie DA a sexual assault case and the defense ran circles around her and there was an acquittal. He's a poor DA regardless of party.
Off to Parliament now. Wish me luck.
I think Guy makes a sound argument on the French case. Cogent analysis without partisan babble. I still revert to the question of what alternative Joel had if he believed the AG's office was heading in the wrong direction. Good luck in Parliament, perhaps we can discuss the Brexit if you offer a guest commentary.
Abelove gives up. Better late than never, but now he has given the Governor anid AG a basis for renewing the executive order this summer. So far, in 8 months, they had nothing to justify the initial order or renewal. So Abelove achieved the opposite of his intent. BTW, since the Grand Jury minutes are sealed as a matter of law when a dismissal occurs, without an authorizing Court Order, sharing the minutes is unauthorized and a Felton's. No one will prosecute though, so .....
That's Ok. Gary Gordon will get you a copy
Shut up Joel
Regardless of guilt or innocence, no fucking way, this isnt NAZI GERMANY
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