022412: News Hound Round Up

A Penn Yan man pled guilty to causing a crash that killed six Amish farmers in Yates County last July. As part of a plea deal 42 year old Steven Eldridge pled guilty to two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated. Eldridge told the court he took cocaine and prescription drugs the day of the crash. As he was attempted to pass a tractor on a corner he collided with an on-coming van carrying more than a dozen Amish farmers from Steuben County. Six people in the van were killed and a number of others were seriously injured.

Meanwhile, as part of the plea deal Eldridge also waived his right to an appeal. He is now facing up to 24 years in prison when he’s sentenced next month.

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A Brighton man accused of murdering his former roommate was arraigned yesterday. According to court documents 23 year old Maxwell Wyant pled not guilty to second degree murder charges. Wyant is accused of fatally shooting his former roommate – 21 year old Christoper Schoen – on February 8th at a Hartfeld Drive home in Brighton. Police say Schoen died from a shotgun blast. His body was found outside the home. Wyant is being held in the Monroe County Jail in lieu of 500 thousand dollars bail.

022312: News Hound Round Up

A Monroe County Court jury found Matthew Townsend guilty of second degree murder yesterday after 90 minutes of deliberation. Authorities say Townsend hit and strangled a woman, dragged her body to a back door of his house, stuffed her into a garbage tote and then dumped her body on Lyell Avenue. The two and a half week long trial in Monroe County Court was the second trial for Townsend on the charge. Judge Vincent Dinolfo declared a mistrial in October after learning that three jurors had discussed the case. Sentencing is set for April 5th.

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Authorities in upstate New York are investigating the death of an Amtrak passenger who was apparently dragged by a train after being kicked off for drunkenness. Police say the 44 year old man from Schenectady got off the Chicago-bound train after it arrived in Rochester late Tuesday. Officials say when he tried to re-board the conductor refused to let him back on because he’d disturbed other passengers earlier. Authorities believe he was then dragged by the train after trying to jump back on as the train left the station.