Posted on 01/21/2020 9:58:31 PM PST by grundle
STONY POINT, N.Y.(CBSNewYork) — There is grief and concern following a Christmas Eve crime.
A woman was struck and killed by an unlicensed driver who left the scene. He was arrested, and immediately released back on the street, under the terms of New York state’s new bail reform law.
Those close to the victim are struggling to understand why, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported Thursday.
“I feel fortunate to have met her and have had her in my life,” friend Irene Secone said.
Friends and family are distraught following the death of 35-year-old Marie “Rosie” Osai.
The immigrant from Haiti, a mother of three, was run over on Christmas Eve while crossing route 9W in Stony Point.
Facing a felony charge for fleeing a fatal accident is 27-year-old Jorge Flores-Villalba. According to court records, Flores-Villalba told an investigator, “I was driving and I did strike a person. I didn’t call the police. I was afraid because I don’t have a license.”
When the suspect was arraigned Christmas Day, the town justice released him without bail.
“We’re all here devastated. Her family is devastated, and this man on Christmas Day goes home and spends it with his family,” Secone said.
Stony Point Supervisor Jim Monaghan blames Albany lawmakers.
“Logistically, it made sense to release the defendant at this time based on the new laws that go into effect Jan. 1,” Monaghan said.
Monaghan said bail reform would have mandated release of the suspect next week, anyway.
The reform pushed by Albany Democrats eliminates bail for all misdemeanors and most non-violent felonies.
“To walk into a courtroom the next day and walk out with no bail and I’ll see you in another week, it just isn’t right,” Secone said.
“Everybody I’ve spoken to, once they’re aware what took place with this bail, they’re outraged,” Monaghan added.
Bail reform advocates say the law allows judges to impose electronic monitoring, and claim critics are fear mongering.
The unlicensed driver accused of killing Osai is free, on just a promise to return to court on Jan. 9.
Several lawmakers want to change or delay implementation of bail reform and other criminal justice revisions. Albany Democrats have said they will monitor how the reforms work before considering any changes.
This happened in Stony Pt, near where Annie’s Snack Shack was. We had some cruise nights there. That strech of US 9W, going up to Bear Mtn is scenic, but dangerous
The town justice released him. Some good citizens need to visit ‘the town justice’ to show him what justice looks like.
I can just see a new NY slogan.
NY is for killers! Come and kill someone!
And NYers remain asleep. They have no problem protesting Trump though while they allow their law makers Cuomo and deblasio to set murderers and rapists free to do it again
The sheep are waking up
Annies is now a bank and CVS.
“Scenic” is not how I would describe it.
9W there is crowded, busy and unsafe for pedestrians to cross.
There is one crosswalk at TDBank and nothing else til Chase at the top of the hill.
Cars get moving way too fast through there, even with a posted 30 mph limit.
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