Niagara Frontier Transit Authority police are investigating a girl for an irresponsible April Fool’s Day joke she pulled yesterday. According to police, a woman called 911 to report that she received a call from her daughter saying she had been shot at the LaSalle Avenue metro station in Buffalo. Moments later, the girl called her mother again and confessed that it was a prank. The mother notified the NFTA police right away, but officers had already begun investigating the matter. Now police say they may charge the girl. I provided a legal analysis of the situation for WGRZ; click on the video above for the interview.
Nick Boynton, the Arizona Coyotes' radio commentator and a former NHL player, appeared for arraignment in Buffalo City Court on multiple charges following an incident at Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. Buffalo police said Mr. Boynton was abusive to casino patrons and security personnel, damaged casino property, and bit the hand of a police officer who tried to subdue him. WGRZ asked for my analysis of the incident. Click on the video above for the interview.
A New York State Supreme Court ruling is requiring the Erie County Sheriff’s Office to turn over documents related to the office’s cell phone spying program, which uses controversial Stingray and Kingfish technology. I provided analysis about the program and the impact that the information’s release may have on dozens of Western New York criminal cases. Click on the video above for the full interview.
WGRZ invited me to their studios to discuss the plea deal reached by former Attica prison guards Sean Warner, Keith Swack, and Matthew Rademacher. The guards were charged with a felony gang attack on inmate George Williams in 2011, breaking the inmate’s shoulder, both ankles, and an eye socket. Under the deal, the guards pled guilty to misdemeanor charges of official misconduct and received promises they would get no jail time. Click on the video above for the interview.
WGRZ’s Kelly Dudzik asked for my analysis on Buffalo School Board member Carl Paladino’s threat to take legal action against three fellow school board members and the district’s general counsel. Mr. Paladino says they are slandering him with accusations that he is racist and sexist. As reprehensible as it is in his eyes that he's being called racist, discriminatory, or sexist, it's a very high standard for him to prove should he end up with a trial. Click on the video above for my full analysis.
The family of Donald Abate, one of the 13 people who died as a result of the November 2014 snowstorm that overwhelmed parts of Western New York, filed a notice of claim against Erie County. The claim states county emergency crews neglected pleas for help from Mr. Abate, who had pulled over due to the hazardous road conditions, and his family. AAA attempted to respond to the calls for help but was prevented from reaching the stranded motorist. WGRZ asked my opinion about the family’s notice of claim. Click on the video above for the interview.
Even after repeated admonitions to obtain medical treatment for their daughter Marissa, Jeremy and Astrid Ikeler failed get her treatment, which led to the 15-year-old’s death of a seizure in January 2014. The father pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide and will serve up to four years in state prison. His wife, who pled guilty to attempted criminally negligent homicide, was granted a one-year conditional discharge. Click on the video above for my comments on the parents’ role and sentences.
While same-sex marriage is currently legal in 36 states and Washington DC and recognized by the federal government, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a ban on gay marriage, allowing states within that jurisdiction to not recognize these unions. Given this environment, the Supreme Court seems to be on the verge of creating a uniform national playing field for same-sex spouses. Click on the video above for my take on this polarizing topic.