Georgia Criminal Defense Blog

The nydailynews.com website reported in an article on February 10, 2009 that a NYPD police officer who just graduated from the police academy had shot and wounded an 18 year old Brooklyn man, Akeem Harvey. According to police and witness reports, the NY violent crime happened outside an R&R grocery store in Brownsville at around 2:30pm. Officers from the 67th precinct stopped Harvey who they say was acting nervous, fiddling with his waistband then dashing north on Winthrop St.

An unidentified woman said, “The cops were searching the boy outside the store and he started running. The Police started chasing after him. I heard a shot. And he was down around the corner. I started crying and praying.”

Harvey was running home when a .357 magnum revolver fell from his body and he picked it up and pointed it at the police. One police officer responded by firing one shot hitting Harvey in the face. Police then found the unloaded gun under Harvey’s body.

The partner of the officer had stopped to pick up his mobile phone then came upon the pair after the shooting. Harvey is unemployed, out school, and neighbors say he hung out with the local want to be branch of the crips gang.

Anthony Hall, 51, father of Harvey said, “I don’t know anything about any gun. He’s not such a bad boy … he didn’t deserve this.”

Weapons charges can be serious charges especially when compounded with fleeing and threatening police. In order to protect your rights, you should hire an experienced Georgia and New York weapons charge attorney from Conaway & Strickler immediately. Client service is always their mission. Winning is always their goal. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Violent Crimes , Weapons Charges

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The nydailynews.com website reported in an article on February 11, 2009 that two men began shooting at each other outside the entrance to the Gun Hill Rd. No. 5 train station located at the busy intersection of DeWitt Pl. and East Gun Hill Rd. Occurring just before 9 a.m. the sidewalks were full of people who scrambled for cover when the shooting erupted. According to the police, an unidentified woman was shot in the arm while an unidentified man was slightly grazed by a bullet in the leg in this violent crime in New York.

Mohammed Hayan, manager of the Best Stop Deli on Gun Hill Rd. said, "A lady came in holding her arm [and] said she was shot. She kept saying 'Call an ambulance, call an ambulance - I'm shot, I'm shot.’ We gave her the phone...I didn't see any blood [but] she was holding her arm."

Witnesses say the women had gotten close to the store window to appreciate a picture of President Barack Obama when she was shot. She was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where she was listed in stable condition. Relatives identified the other victim as Darnell Cooper, 18, who was also treated at Jacobi. Police were able to arrest one of the gunmen who may have also possibly suffered a gunshot wound. His identity was not immediately disclosed. Police claim the other gunman ran into the subway station and disappeared.

Hayan said, "It's a good neighborhood but you have to be careful.”

No matter what your specific situation, if you have been accused of a violent crime in New York or Georgia, consider hiring an aggressive violent crime defense attorney at Conaway & Strickler, P.C. Being arrested for any type of violent crime is very serious, and you should not take action on your own. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation with one of our skilled New York violent crime defense attorneys.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Violent Crimes

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The cbsatlanta.com website reported in an article on March 13, 2009 that Whitfield County officials in Dalton Georgia will be charging Joshua Bedwell, 26 from Cleveland Tennessee with rape and child molestation of a 15 year old relative. According to Rick Swiney, Sheriffs Captain the charges include statutory rape and several counts of Georgia aggravated child molestation. Bedwell was taken to Whitfield County jail.

There are many types of sexual assault or sexual abuse, including the following that carry severe punishments: Rape, Sexual Battery, Solicitation, Lewd Conduct, Pandering, Indecent Exposure, Public Indecency, Child Molestation, Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes, Sexual Exploitation of Children, Electronically Furnishing Obscene Material To Minors, and Aggravated Sodomy.

If you have been charged with a sex crime charge in Georgia, you are facing serious consequences which may carry life-long penalties. These circumstances could ruin your reputation within your community and your chances to pursue certain personal and professional endeavors. If you are convicted of committing a sexual offense, you are facing a long prison term and monetary fines, and you may have to register as a sex offender with State and local law enforcement agencies for the rest of your life.

Continue reading "Whitfield County Rape Charges against Tennessee Man " »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Sex Crime Defense

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The nydailynews.com website reported in an account on March 14, 2009 that the Nassau County District Attorney reported that Heather Kennedy, 26 had been re-arrested for violating a court order. Kennedy was a math teacher in Long Island who was caught having sex with a 16 year old boy back in March 2008 in the school’s parking lot. Even after being caught for the sex crime in New York, Kennedy continued the affair with the boy. She was charged with additional charges in July. Now the former teacher is being thrown back in jail for writing love letters to her underage lover.

Kennedy apologized to the court but was convicted of statutory rape and given six months in jail in addition to her teaching license being revoked.

There are many types of sexual assault or sexual abuse in New York. Sexual assault, in most states, includes any type of unwanted physical contact with any sexual organ. All sex crimes, either felony or misdemeanor, are very serious charges and can carry life changing consequences.

Each year there are countless cases of individuals wrongfully accused of and charged with criminal sexual acts. If you find yourself in this situation, it is very important that you secure the representation of a top New York criminal defense lawyer from Conaway & Strickler, P.C. They are skilled in NY sex crime law and will be able to use evidence to show your good character, while using evidence which will show the lack of character of the accuser in the case. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Sex Crime Defense

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The website ajc.com reported in an account on March 13, 2009 that Rhonda Sosebee Young, 43 was apprehended in Gordon County and charged with the murder of her husband. Young’s husband Stephen Young, was found lifeless in his own home. According to Howard Ensley, Sheriff, detectives say Rhonda Young had traveled extensively across the country including Missouri, Utah, and Tennessee, just within the last couple of weeks.

Upon finding out that the cops were hot on her trail, Rhonda Young jumped in her vehicle and tried to escape, but local, state, and federal officers were faster and got their in time to block her car resulting in her arrest for the homicide in Georgia. Ensley stated that Rhonda Young received treatment for a gunshot injury received prior to her arrest. Bond was denied and she is being held at Murray County Jail.

Homicide is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in Georgia you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive and experienced Georgia criminal defense lawyer from Conaway & Strickler, P.C. right away. There is a lot at stake, and depending upon your situation, you may be facing a life sentence.

At Conaway & Strickler, P.C. their skilled Georgia violent crime defense attorneys aggressively defend the rights of clients throughout Georgia, and are nationally recognized for their successful case outcomes. For more than a decade, their lawyers have successfully defended clients charged with various violent crime felony and misdemeanor charges. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Murder/Homicide , Violent Crimes

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They nydailynews.com website reported in an account on March 11, 2009 that Israel Weingarten, a Hasidic rabbi in New York, was found guilty by a jury in Brooklyn Federal Court of molesting his daughter for more than 7 years. Accompanied into the courtroom by US marshals, the victim sat down in the front row. Across from her were her six brothers and sisters between the ages of 13 to 23 who took their father’s side.

Weingarten defended himself but was found guilty on all counts of molestation. After being found guilty of transporting the victim to Israel, Belgium, New York to commit sex crimes, he showed no feelings. He is due to be sentenced on April 3, 2009 by Judge John Gleeson and could face up to 50 years in prison.

Walking out of court, the victim was dressed in contemporary clothes, wore cosmetics, and no longer is a member of the Satmar sect. She was asked what it felt like to be cross examined by her father for the sex crimes in New York. She replied, “Like being molested again. He thought he still had power over me. I think it was cruel to do that to me. I wish he wasn't my father. I've been waiting my whole life for this. I didn't think the day would come when there would be justice, and I had to see it with my own eyes."

Sister Yakev Weingarten, 18, said, “My sister? I didn't look at her. She's not even human."

All sex crimes, either felony or misdemeanor, are very serious charges and can carry life changing consequences. If you or someone you know has been arrested for a sex crime in New York, you need advice from an experienced New York criminal defense lawyer from Conaway & Strickler, P.C. Protect your rights and your freedom. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Sex Crime Defense

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The nydailynews.com website reported in an article on March 12th that New York City controller William Thompson released a report that the city paid out $35.2 million in settlements last year a 40 percent jump from just the previous year. Police procedures, such as false arrests and excessive force, are costing the taxpayers heavily in a time when all efforts and sacrifices must be made to use taxpayer money for critical services. It is also putting a great burden in defendants needing to seek experienced New York federal offense lawyers.

The payout number is only going to grow as a record number of lawsuits were filed last year against the NYPD for wrongful convictions involving drug crimes in New York and other criminal offenses.

Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said, ‘These are remarkable increases. They raise serious questions as to whether the NYPD is out of control."

Complaints against the NYPD have climbed 22 percent in the last 10 years to a record 6,274 complaints last year.

Reports say that New York City paid out $536.9 in settlements, a 2 percent increase from the previous year.

Jeffrey Cofield said, “I wanted to be compensated because I served time in prison, but I feel like more should have been done to correct the officers' behavior." Cofield got $400,000 last year after doing eight months in jail on false drug possession charges.

Continue reading "New York Police Behaving Badly Cost City $35 Million" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Wrongfully Accused

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The gainesvilletimes.com website reported in an account on March 13, 2008 that Cornelio Zamites will plead guilty to the rape and homicide in Georgia of a 4 year old girl. Zamites agreed in order to avoid the death penalty and the district attorney agreed on this plea in order to secure a conviction.

Through an interpreter Esmeralda’s father Jesus Lopez Rios told Judge Kathlene Gosselin, “I live blaming myself sometimes because my daughter needed me as a father and I could not help her.”

The girl’s killer, Cornelio Rivera Zamites, 28, pleaded guilty Thursday to murder, rape, kidnapping with bodily injury and other offenses and was sentenced by Gosselin to life without the possibility of parole, plus three consecutive life sentences, plus 20 years.

Zamites agreed in writing that he would never appeal his Georgia sex crime and murder sentence. He declined to address the court.

Continue reading "Hall County Murder and Rape of 4 Year Old, Defendant Pleads Guilty " »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Murder/Homicide , Sex Crime Defense , Violent Crimes

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The ajc.com website reported in a story on March 10, 2009 that local, state, and federal agents had conducted a state wide sweep in Georgia which had resulted in the arrest of 27 people and more than 100 computers being confiscated. Two teenagers were amongst those arrested for possession of child pornography in Georgia. Now the forensic technicians will have to spend hour after hour searching for any trace of child porn pictures or video.

John Bankhead, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said the operation was called “Operation Shattered Innocence” and that for the most part, all arrests were carried out. However, more arrest warrants will most likely be issued, including some for teenagers after investigators go through the hard drives.

Investigators say that investigation did not center on an individual website but on the “peer to peer” sites that exchange videos and pictures. As arrest warrants were executed for these Georgia sex crimes, many were shocked to see law enforcement at their door. Agents found one man standing nude in front of his computer that had a camera connected to it.

Some computers were left behind even though they were suspected of sending or receiving child porn. According to Bankhead, the reason for this is that those computers were connected to the Internet with an unsecured connection. This means that anyone within reach of your signal can be downloading those images aside from the owner of the computer.

Continue reading "Georgia Child Porn Sweep Nets 23 " »

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Posted In: Computer Crime , Criminal Defense , Sex Crime Defense

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The wbstv.com website reported in an account on March 13, 2009 that Ken Tippins, former Atlanta Falcons player from 1990-1995 will serve four years in jail after pleading guilty to a cocaine charge according to Charles Stines, Alapaha Chief Assistant District Attorney. A marijuana possession with intent charge was dropped in exchange for a guilty plea. A motion has been filed to reconsider the notion of the drug possession with intent to sell in Georgia. It is scheduled for April 15, and will be heard by Alapaha Judicial Circuit Judge Howard McClain.

The Controlled Substance Act is a consolidation of laws that regulate the possession, manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, and chemicals used in the illicit production of controlled substances or illegal drugs.
The Act breaks down narcotics into 5 different categories or "schedules", the most serious being "Schedule 1" offenses for drug crimes in Georgia.

Some examples of "Schedule 1" narcotics are:
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Methamphetamine
• Ecstasy
• PCP
• LSD

Penalties for schedule 1 narcotics offenses are severe and may require the assistance of a top criminal defense attorney in Georgia. Depending on the amount of narcotic seized, a first offense conviction could mean a prison term of up to 20 years plus fines; and, if you have been convicted of 2 previous offenses, you could be facing life in prison.

Marijuana laws vary slightly from the above and are generally based on the amount of marijuana or hashish seized. However the penalties for marijuana and hashish can be equally as severe, depending upon the quantity.

Conaway & Strickler, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm, which is located in Atlanta, Georgia. For more than a decade, their aggressive and skilled Georgia criminal defense lawyers have successfully defended clients charged with serious felony and misdemeanor charges, including drug trafficking, drug possession, and possession with intent to sell. Please call 1-800-536-1740 for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Drug Crime , Drug Defense

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The nydailynews.com website reported in a story that there is a correction from their original story on March 13, 2009 that Officer Rafael Lora faces first degree manslaughter charges in New York for the deadly shooting of Fermin Arzu, 41, in May 2007.

According to reports Arzu was driving while intoxicated and hit parked cars outside Lora’s Longwood home. Awoken by a loud bang, the off duty Manhattan traffic officer went outside with his glock 26 to investigate. He claims to have identified himself as an officer as he approached the vehicle.

Lora said, ‘I saw a dark colored minivan with steam coming out of it."

Lora’s account states that when he opened the passenger door Arzu attacked him in the face with something he had gotten from the glove box. Then Arzu attempted to close the door and drive away.

Lora testified, "He squeezed me to the frame of the door. He put the car quickly into gear and drove away. I fired my weapon and was released from the vehicle."

Continue reading "Bronx First Degree Manslaughter Charge against Officer" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Murder/Homicide , Violent Crimes

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The nydailynews.com website reported in a story on March 13, 2009 that Paul Casson, 28, an EMT was arrested and charged with forging a nurse’s signature and abandoning a five year old at the hospital. A spokeswoman for the Department of Investigation said that Casson did not want to wait and fill out the necessary paperwork so he forged the necessary documentation required before he left the hospital. ETM’s are required to fill out Patient Care Reports and have them signed by a corresponding nurse.

Casson is accused of endangering the welfare of a child in New York when he left a five year old at Lincoln Hospital. Casson was called to a vehicle accident scene on Deceember 31, and was transporting the child who did not sustain life threatening injuries to the hospital.

In a rush to make it to his New Year’s engagement, he lost all regards of professionalism and compassion. He now sits in jail awaiting trial. If convicted, Casson faces seven years in prison.

Forgery in New York is defined as "knowingly and with the intent to defraud, making, altering, or possessing any writing that purports to be made by another person, at another time, with different provisions, or by authority of one who did not give such authority and utters and delivers such writing".

Continue reading "Bronx Forgery and Abandonment of Five Year Old" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Domestic Violence , Theft Crimes , White Collar Crimes

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