The 13-month case concerning three former Wilson Central School varsity baseball players has been adjourned again, but the end may be in sight. The state police investigation into the state police investigation might take a little longer, however.
Town Justice George Berger gave the defense lawyers and Assistant District Attorney Robert Zucco until June 9 to work out a plea agreement for Geoffrey A. Seefeldt, 18; Colton Sherman, 17, and Christopher Sidote, 17. The defendants were silent in front of the judge. The lawyers spoke softly.
The trial date for former Wilson baseball coaches William Atlas and Thomas Baia who are charged in connection with a reported hazing incident has been set for July 6.
According to WGRZ, New York State Police in Albany confirmed an internal investigation into allegations of improper police actions in the hazing incident, which occurred on April 17, 2008.
Defense lawyers had argued in court during a Huntley Hearing in January that state police investigators were overly anxious to interview the teens without legal counsel or a parent present. Mark Guglielmi, who represents Seefeldt, and Andrew Vona, who represents Sidote, said they didn’t ignite the Albany investigation.
Guglielmi said, “I don’t have any information about it. I’m still trying to get my hands around it.”
A trial date had been set for June 20. If there is a trial for Seefeldt, Sherman and Sidote, Berger ruled it will be held behind closed doors because of the teens’ youthful offender status.
Zucco said a plea deal is a possibility, but there is not a complete package.
“If the right plea comes around, we will take it,” Vona said. “They know what it is. They’ve known what it is from day one. We haven’t gotten there.”
He said Sidote will not plead to a misdemeanor and he won’t let his client plead to anything more than what actually happened.
“He would never admit to a crime he didn’t commit,” Vona said. “At most, a lot of kids were harassing a few kids and you can color that any way you want, but that’s really all that happened here. It’s unfortunate that three of these kids have been called from the mix of 20 or 30 as being guilty of that conduct when I don’t think they were any were more guilty than the others.”
Seefeldt, Sidote and Sherman are all charged with first- and second-degree hazing and personal touching.
“I’m not worried about sentencing on harassment on a kid with no priors,” Vona said. “I think they’ve already served a much harsher sentence than anyone in history has served for not having any priors.”
Courts
WILSON: Teens working on plea deal in 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
