Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship---in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.
THE FOLLOWING COMES FROM:
https://www.facebook.com/TroopersPBA/
For Immediate Release – March 22, 2022
Troopers’ Union Speaks Out Against Cortlandt Town Justice’s Shocking Actions
The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, the union representing uniformed New York State Troopers, is shocked by the nonchalance of Cortlandt Town Justice Kimberly Ragazzo in releasing a defendant - accused of assaulting a Trooper - on his recognizance simply because the young man claimed he had a college exam the next day.
“I am disgusted by the flippant attitude of Town of Cortlandt Justice Kimberly Ragazzo,” said NYSTPBA President Thomas H. Mungeer. “Despite the defendant’s displays of violence, including assaulting a Trooper, Justice Ragazzo chose to release him without even verifying his story.”
The 22-year-old man, Bryan P. Illescas, was arrested Sunday and charged with driving while intoxicated. While in custody at the State Police barracks in Cortlandt, Illescas became combative and damaged a wall. When the man’s mother came to pick him up, he suddenly punched a Trooper in the head and caused a significant laceration to the Trooper.
Additional charges of assaulting a police officer were brought upon Illescas, and he was then brought before Justice Ragazzo for arraignment. The district attorney recommended that Illescas be required to pay $15,000 cash bail or a $30,000 bond in order to be released, but Justice Ragazzo ignored that and instead released him on his recognizance because she did not want him to miss a college midterm exam in criminal justice the next day.
“You cannot make this stuff up! My Troopers risk their lives every day making the roadways and neighborhoods of this state safe. The last thing they need to encounter is a soft-on-crime judge who has more sympathy for a failed criminal justice major than she does for the citizens of her jurisdiction, Mungeer said.
“Shame on you, Justice Ragazzo!”
As far as I am aware, assaulting a police officer, even if you live in New York or have a "criminal justice" exam the next day, is STILL A FELONY. Yet this esteemed Justice decided to ROR this mutt who went home with mommy while the assaulted Trooper went off to the hospital. Justice Ragazzo should be ashamed of herself! Is this what we want from our Justices? CHANGE cannot happen fast enough!
ReplyDelete