Rapist sentenced to 15 years
Morris R. Lewis, 52, of 246 Union Avenue, Dorm 126, Room 8 in Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 15 years in a maximum security state prison by Saratoga Country Court Judge Jerry Scarano after pleading guilty to the crime of rape in the first degree. Lewis also pleaded guilty to sex abuse in the first degree and unlawful imprisonment. In addition, Lewis will face a mandatory 10 years of post release supervision after serving his 15 years in order to ensure the victim's safety.
Morris R. Lewis, 52, of 246 Union Avenue, Dorm 126, Room 8 in Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 15 years in a maximum security state prison by Saratoga Country Court Judge Jerry Scarano after pleading guilty to the crime of rape in the first degree. Lewis also pleaded guilty to sex abuse in the first degree and unlawful imprisonment. In addition, Lewis will face a mandatory 10 years of post release supervision after serving his 15 years in order to ensure the victim's safety.
Lewis and the victim met in a food pantry early last summer. On June
11, 2008 after receiving free food, Lewis asked the victim for a ride
back to his dormitory and further assistance with carrying the items
back to his room. After entering his dorm, the defendant knocked the
victim to the floor and forced himself upon her.
In a statement made to the press, Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy said, "I am very pleased that the judge sentenced Mr. Lewis to 15 years in state prison. Mr. Lewis should serve the maximum sentence. He took advantage of a woman who not only gave him food, but helped him carry it in to his dorm room. This is a sinister, heinous and predatory act in which he violated her in the most horrific and violent way. He will also be a lifetime sex offender and be listed on the registry."
South High Dance Marathon a huge success
For 24 hours, over 700 students at South Glens Falls High School took to the gymnasium floor in a marathon dance session to raise money to benefit local residents battling a variety of medical conditions. After the dance was over, students had raised $260,200, shattering the previous record set last year of $245,141.
In addition to the Marathon Dance, students also organized a slew of other fund-raising events, including a live auction and a hair-cut-a-thon. Items for the auction were donated by local business owners, and local hair stylists volunteered to join the hair-cut-a-thon effort.
Money raised went to benefit 23 different recipients, including local high school basketball coach Mike Nolan, a non-smoker battling lung cancer. Other recipients included residents battling life-threatening diseases, cancer patients, and physically disabled persons in need of special equipment.
All 23 individuals were present at the high school to accept the donation during the Dance Marathon's closing ceremonies.
Spa City employee pleads guilty to theft
Joy A. Karam, 43, of 1 Sandspring Drive in Saratoga Springs pled guilty to the charge of grand larceny in the third degree after admitting to the theft of $44,867.75 from the City of Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works. Karam admitted to the crime, a class D felony, in front of Saratoga County Court Judge Jerry Scarano.
The theft was initially discovered by the Commissioner of Public Works, Skip Scirrocco, who noticed a significant increase in the sale of trash bags on days when Karam was absent. An investigation into the matter discovered that Karam would alter the total amount deposited on official forms, keeping the remainder for herself.
"We would not engage in plea bargaining as Ms. Karam was a public servant responsible for the safekeeping of public funds," Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy said.
"These are taxpayer dollars and belong to the taxpayer. We are glad to be able to have secured a felony conviction to the highest charge possible and provide full restitution to the city residents."
Karam turned over a check equal to the amount stolen to the DA's office, as required of her by the County Court. Sentencing is scheduled for May 5 at 9 a.m.
Murphy closes in on Tedisco
A new poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute has cut Republican candidate James Tedisco's lead over Democrat Scott Murphy to just four percentage points in their bid for the 20th Congressional District seat. Tedisco, who was leading Murphy by 12 points just two weeks ago, has seen his lead slip as voters are inundated with political ads on TV and flyers passed out in greater number. The newest poll sees Tedisco leading Murphy 45-41 percent, with a 3.7 percent margin of error.
The poll reveals that a majority of Republican voters favor Tedisco, while Democrats favor Murphy. Independent voters also seem to be favoring Murphy.
Only 13 percent of voters remain undecided for the upcoming election on March 31, as compared with 20 percent of voters two weeks ago. Former city firefighter's lawsuit overturned
Nathaniel King, a former firefighter suing the city of Saratoga Springs for wrongful termination, had his claim overturned by Supreme Court Justice Thomas Nolan in a ruling that favored the city. King was terminated by the department after failing to complete his paramedic training.
"This is a victory for the citizens of Saratoga Springs who will continue to receive the highest level of service from our fire department and the Department of Public Safety," Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim said in a written statement.
A new requirement after King had entered the department required all firefighters to complete a paramedic training program which King was unable to complete due to his aversion to needles. King objected to the requirement, claiming that he should not have had to complete it because the program was made mandatory after he had been appointed. King was fired on Nov. 30, 2007, a direct result of not completing the training.
In his ruling, Justice Nolan stated that, "By ordering the petitioner to take or resume the training course, the respondent did not create a new, more stringent requirement for the firefighter position for which the petitioner had provisionally been hired. His refusals constituted insubordination and his challenge to the assistant chief's authority likewise constituted insubordination."
In a statement made to the press, Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy said, "I am very pleased that the judge sentenced Mr. Lewis to 15 years in state prison. Mr. Lewis should serve the maximum sentence. He took advantage of a woman who not only gave him food, but helped him carry it in to his dorm room. This is a sinister, heinous and predatory act in which he violated her in the most horrific and violent way. He will also be a lifetime sex offender and be listed on the registry."
South High Dance Marathon a huge success
For 24 hours, over 700 students at South Glens Falls High School took to the gymnasium floor in a marathon dance session to raise money to benefit local residents battling a variety of medical conditions. After the dance was over, students had raised $260,200, shattering the previous record set last year of $245,141.
In addition to the Marathon Dance, students also organized a slew of other fund-raising events, including a live auction and a hair-cut-a-thon. Items for the auction were donated by local business owners, and local hair stylists volunteered to join the hair-cut-a-thon effort.
Money raised went to benefit 23 different recipients, including local high school basketball coach Mike Nolan, a non-smoker battling lung cancer. Other recipients included residents battling life-threatening diseases, cancer patients, and physically disabled persons in need of special equipment.
All 23 individuals were present at the high school to accept the donation during the Dance Marathon's closing ceremonies.
Spa City employee pleads guilty to theft
Joy A. Karam, 43, of 1 Sandspring Drive in Saratoga Springs pled guilty to the charge of grand larceny in the third degree after admitting to the theft of $44,867.75 from the City of Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works. Karam admitted to the crime, a class D felony, in front of Saratoga County Court Judge Jerry Scarano.
The theft was initially discovered by the Commissioner of Public Works, Skip Scirrocco, who noticed a significant increase in the sale of trash bags on days when Karam was absent. An investigation into the matter discovered that Karam would alter the total amount deposited on official forms, keeping the remainder for herself.
"We would not engage in plea bargaining as Ms. Karam was a public servant responsible for the safekeeping of public funds," Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy said.
"These are taxpayer dollars and belong to the taxpayer. We are glad to be able to have secured a felony conviction to the highest charge possible and provide full restitution to the city residents."
Karam turned over a check equal to the amount stolen to the DA's office, as required of her by the County Court. Sentencing is scheduled for May 5 at 9 a.m.
Murphy closes in on Tedisco
A new poll conducted by the Siena Research Institute has cut Republican candidate James Tedisco's lead over Democrat Scott Murphy to just four percentage points in their bid for the 20th Congressional District seat. Tedisco, who was leading Murphy by 12 points just two weeks ago, has seen his lead slip as voters are inundated with political ads on TV and flyers passed out in greater number. The newest poll sees Tedisco leading Murphy 45-41 percent, with a 3.7 percent margin of error.
The poll reveals that a majority of Republican voters favor Tedisco, while Democrats favor Murphy. Independent voters also seem to be favoring Murphy.
Only 13 percent of voters remain undecided for the upcoming election on March 31, as compared with 20 percent of voters two weeks ago. Former city firefighter's lawsuit overturned
Nathaniel King, a former firefighter suing the city of Saratoga Springs for wrongful termination, had his claim overturned by Supreme Court Justice Thomas Nolan in a ruling that favored the city. King was terminated by the department after failing to complete his paramedic training.
"This is a victory for the citizens of Saratoga Springs who will continue to receive the highest level of service from our fire department and the Department of Public Safety," Commissioner of Public Safety Ron Kim said in a written statement.
A new requirement after King had entered the department required all firefighters to complete a paramedic training program which King was unable to complete due to his aversion to needles. King objected to the requirement, claiming that he should not have had to complete it because the program was made mandatory after he had been appointed. King was fired on Nov. 30, 2007, a direct result of not completing the training.
In his ruling, Justice Nolan stated that, "By ordering the petitioner to take or resume the training course, the respondent did not create a new, more stringent requirement for the firefighter position for which the petitioner had provisionally been hired. His refusals constituted insubordination and his challenge to the assistant chief's authority likewise constituted insubordination."
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