Several charges against the defendants in the Wilson hazing case were dismissed Tuesday in Wilson Town Court days after statements made by one of them were suppressed.
Justice George Berger ruled Friday that statements made by defendant Geoffrey Seefeldt, 18, to state police would not be admissible in court because investigators did not allow him access to an attorney during the interviews.
Seefeldt had been charged with three counts of third-degree forcible touching, three counts of first-degree hazing and one count of second-degree hazing.
Two of the first-degree hazing charges against Seefeldt were dismissed Tuesday.
Colton Sherman, 17, had been facing two counts each of first- and second-degree hazing. Both the first-degree hazing charges against him have been dismissed.
No charges were dismissed for the third defendant, 17-year-old Christopher Sidote. Sidote still faces one count each of first- and second-degree hazing.
Sherman and Sidote are each also charged with one count of forcible touching.
Berger said the charges were dismissed because the evidence supporting them was insufficient.
The teens will be back in court March 10 to discuss setting a trial date.
The teens were varsity baseball players last spring, when they are accused of assaulting three junior varsity players in the back of a Wilson school bus April 27.
Seefeldt’s attorney, Mark Guglielmi, said investigators knew he was representing Seefeldt when they brought the teen in for questioning.
“They were aware of my representation of this defendant, and specifically for these allegations, and they still brought him in for questioning him without notifying me and having me present,” Guglielmi said.
Sidote’s attorney, Andrew Vona, said the hazing charges that were dismissed relate to two of the alleged victims. In those cases, there was insufficient evidence of physical injury, which would support the first-degree hazing charge.
The evidence in regards to the third alleged victim “is at least enough at this point to go forward,” Vona said.
Kevin Shelby, Sherman’s attorney, and Vona both said they are open to talking with the district attorney’s office about a possible plea deal.
If the case goes to trial, the proceedings will likely be held on a Saturday and would be presided over by Berger.
Assistant District Attorney Robert Zucco said it would be better to schedule a block of time on the weekend rather than take up time on a regular court night.
“Conceivably, it could be a number of Saturdays,” Zucco said. “More than two Saturdays.”
Courts
WILSON: Statements, charges out in Wilson hazing case
- Courts
-
-
Hayes sentence delayed in homicide case
Wilbert Hayes III was behind bars on Monday but not to begin serving his sentence for the slaying of Donald Tyree Nix.
-
In Lockport, Man faces extradition in Vegas fraud
A former Las Vegas resident picked up at the U.S.-Canadian border on Nevada securities fraud charges was ordered held for extradition from New York on Monday, after a judge rejected his claim of diplomatic immunity.
-
Another Mehta defendant gets probation
A Sanborn woman has escaped a jail term after her guilty plea to a federal drug charge.
-
Another deal made in Mehta case
A Falls man will spend a year on federal probation for his guilty plea in a wide-ranging probe of prescription drug abuse centered around former Falls physician Pravin Mehta.
-
Mehta defendant gets “time served”
A Falls resident caught up in a joint federal and local law enforcement investigation into prescription drug trafficking, involving former Falls physician Pravin Mehta, will not have to spend more time behind bars.
-
NU player gets dismissal in sex abuse case
A Niagara University basketball player, arrested in a sexual abuse related case has had that charge dismissed.
-
Case adjourned for Wilson teachers accused of having sex at Bills game
Two Wilson School District teachers charged with public lewdness had their case adjourned this week for a possible dismissal.
-
Drug mule pleads guilty in federal court
A man who ferried marijuana from a Canadian Indian Reservation to the Falls has cut a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
-
Gross prepared for prison term
A host of the Niagara Region’s famous and infamous are asking a federal judge to give Falls contractor and convicted felon John Gross a break later today.
-
Hayes opts for plea in stabbing death
For Wilbert Hayes III, going to trial was just too much of a risk.
- More Courts Headlines
-
Hayes sentence delayed in homicide case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
