Civil Trial Begins for Officer Jason Smith

A civil trial began Monday in Trumbull County for a police officer involved in a fatal car accident.

Cassandra Thompson died in 2006 after being hit by a Cortland police cruiser driven by officer Jason Smith on South High Street.

Troopers investigating the accident then said the 16-year-old walked out in front of the cruiser, which didn't have its sirens or lights activated even though the officer was responding to a fight at a high rate of speed. Police did not have sufficient evidence to charge patrolman Jason Smith, who was driving the cruiser, with a crime.

Surviving members of the victim are seeking damages from the city of Cortland, its police department and Smith.

A jury in the wrongful death lawsuit was seated Monday and began hearing testimony. The trial is expected to last several days.

Investigation Determines Officer Jesus Cisneros was Drinking on Duty Before Crash

An internal investigation has determined that a Fort Worth police officer was drinking on duty before crashing a city vehicle and killing a mother of two.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram cited documents filed with the Civil Service Commission over the December incident.

The review found that Officer Jesus Cisneros drove to three bars and drank up to three beers in an unauthorized undercover detail before going off duty, drinking more and colliding with a vehicle driven by Sonia Baker.

The narcotics officer, charged with intoxication manslaughter, remains free on bail.

Cisneros resigned Dec. 21. Police on Feb. 18 took the additional step of suspending him indefinitely so the allegations would be included in his civil service record.

Cisneros attorney Jim Lane did not immediately comment.

Baker family attorney Mike Freden says the actions of Cisneros were "sickening."

Officer Jesus Cisneros Accused of Drunking While Still on Duty Before Crash

An off-duty Fort Worth police officer who officials say was drunk when he crashed his city vehicle into another car in December, killing a mother of two, had started drinking while still on duty, an internal investigation has found.

Jesus Cisneros drove his city vehicle, a Toyota Highlander, to three bars from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 and consumed up to three beers as part of an unauthorized undercover bar detail, according to documents filed with the Civil Service Commission.

Lt. Paul Henderson, a police spokesman, called Cisneros' actions a "gross violation of policy."

The documents say that after completing the bar detail, Cisneros, then off duty, drove to a birthday party at The Pour House, where he drank about four more beers and four shots of alcohol, according to surveillance video obtained from the bar by investigators.

About 2:25 the next morning, Cisneros was driving the Highlander west in the 3800 block of Columbus Trail at more than twice the posted speed limit when he collided with a PT Cruiser trying to turn in front of him, officials have said. The Cruiser's driver, Sonia Baker, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tests on blood taken soon after the wreck indicated that Cisneros had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.17, more than twice the legal limit.

Cisneros resigned Dec. 21. Police officials, however, took the additional step of suspending him indefinitely — tantamount to firing — so that the sustained allegations would be included in his civil service record, Henderson said.

The indefinite suspension took effect Feb. 18.

"Because he resigned, it closes any potential loophole for him being able to get his job back in Fort Worth," Henderson said.

The allegations

According to the documents, the investigation found four allegations against Cisneros: that he consumed alcohol on duty without necessary supervisory approval; that he drove a city vehicle off duty without authorization; that he was intoxicated while off duty; and that he drove a city vehicle while impaired and in such a manner that resulted in the fatal crash.

Cisneros, who remains free on bail, was charged Feb. 10 with intoxication manslaughter.

Jim Lane, Cisneros' attorney, was out of the office Wednesday and did not return a message left with his staff seeking comment.

Sonia Baker's widower, Mario Baker, referred questions Wednesday to the Noteboom law firm.

Mike Freden, one of the attorneys for Baker's family, said Cisneros' actions were "sickening."

"With each additional fact, his behavior is becoming more and more outrageous," Freden said. "It highlights that there were so many people along the way that could have stopped him from going out there and killing her. It's tragic. We're going to continue to go after every one we possibly can to get justice for Mario and his boys."

Henderson said an investigation of whether any other officers violated department policy while celebrating with Cisneros on the night of the crash is nearing its final stages.
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Former Officer Martin Abreu Sentenced for Killing Pedestrian

An off-duty Jersey City police officer will spend up to a decade in prison for killing a pedestrian as she crossed a lower Manhattan street.

Martin Abreu, a Jersey City police officer since 2005, was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded guilty on Dec. 16 to aggravated vehicular homicide.

Abreu's vehicle mowed down Marilyn Huang Feng a year ago as she walked near Battery Park City. The 26-year-old aspiring lawyer died at the scene, and her boyfriend was critically injured.

Authorities said Abreu was drunk, and according to witness accounts, he was driving more than double the speed limit.

Abreu will be eligible for parole in 3 1/2 years. His maximum sentence is 10 1/2 years.

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Officer Edward Stapinski Charged in Drunk Driving Crash

The Lockport police officer charged in connection with a fatal crash on the Stevenson Expressway is out of jail on bond.

Edward Stapinski, 34, was released after paying $75,000 bond.

The crash last Sunday night near Cicero killed Man Wong, who was on his way home from his second job.

Witnesses reported seeing Stapinski's car weaving and traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash.

The hospital where he was taken revealed his blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit.
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Officer Jesus Cisneros Accused of Fatal Crash was Speeding

In addition to being intoxicated, a Fort Worth police officer was speeding when he collided with a car earlier this month, killing its 27-year-old driver, according to an arrest warrant affidavit released Tuesday.

Jesus Cisneros is believed to have been traveling at least twice the posted speed limit when his unmarked city vehicle struck Sonia Baker’s PT Cruiser at the intersection of Columbus Trail and Evening Star, according to the affidavit, written by traffic investigator R.L. Wangler.

“The collision was of such a violent nature that the vehicles traveled at least 100 feet to rest,” the affidavit states.

The posted speed limit, according to an accident report, is 35 mph.

Cisneros surrendered Monday to the Tarrant County Jail on an arrest warrant for intoxication manslaughter. He was released after posting a $25,000 bond.

As conditions of his bail, he will be required to install a Breathalyzer in his vehicle within 30 days, cannot drive without the device and is prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages, according to Tarrant County probation department records.

Cisneros, 37, who police say has submitted his resignation, is accused of driving intoxicated in his unmarked patrol car on Dec. 11 before the crash that killed Sonia Baker. Fort Worth police said Cisneros’ blood-alcohol content was 0.17.

Jail records show a warrant was issued for Cisneros’ arrest on suspicion of intoxication manslaughter, a felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Lt. Paul Henderson, a Fort Worth police spokesman, said the department will issue a statement today about Cisneros’ case.

"Regardless of who you are or who you work for, DWI is a crime and we will pursue it," he said.

Baker’s husband, Demond Baker, said Monday night that he was unaware Cisneros is facing charges.

"Of course I want him to be prosecuted to the fullest," Baker said. "I will leave it in God’s hands."

Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead issued a statement last week saying the department was "embarrassed by this tragic incident." Mayor Mike Moncrief was also critical of the incident.

Baker was driving to a fast-food restaurant near her southwest Fort Worth home about 2:30 a.m. when she turned in front of Cisneros’ Toyota Highlander. Baker had two sons, ages 4 and 5.

Police, who consulted a private accident reconstruction company that works with the Tarrant County district attorney, have not said whether speed was a factor or whether Baker was at fault in the crash. Police have also not released the findings of an internal affairs investigation, which is examining what Cisneros was doing before the crash.

Officer Jason Anderson Fired After Being Charged with Manslaughter

Police commissioners in Milford Monday night fired a town police officer charged with manslaughter in a crash that killed two teenagers in June.

Commissioners agreed with Police Chief Keith Mello's recommendation to fire Officer Jason Anderson, of Milford.

The accident in Orange killed two 19-year-olds, David Servin and Ashlie Krakowski, both of Orange.

Police say Anderson was driving 94 miles an hour while returning from a mutual aid call in West Haven and didn't have his emergency lights or siren on when the teens' car turned in front of him on Route 1. Anderson and his lawyer have declined to comment on the allegations.

Commissioners on Monday also suspended Officer Richard Pisani for 30 days without pay. Pisani was driving alongside Anderson that night.
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Video: 
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-milford-officer-fired-1214,0,6695291.story

Investigation Under Way Against Officer Jesus Cisneros

An investigation is under way after a woman was killed Friday in a collision involving an off-duty Fort Worth police officer in the 3800 block of Columbus Trail, police said.

At about 2:30 a.m. Officer Jesus Cisneros, 37, was driving westbound in an unmarked police vehicle when he collided with Sonia Baker's southbound Chrysler PT Cruiser as she attempted an eastbound turn in front of his vehicle, police said.

The 27-year-old woman died in the crash and Cisneros was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in serious condition, police said.

Baker, a wife and mother of two boys ages 4 and 5, was on her way to pick up breakfast before heading into work, her family said.

Investigators said alcohol may have been involved on the part of the off-duty officer, but test results have not been returned.

Cisneros has been an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department since September 2001.

"This is a tragic incident and a very, very serious matter. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families," Lt. Paul Henderson said in a statement released Friday.
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http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1825458.html

Officer Jason Anderson Charged with Manslaughter

Now that the voluminous Connecticut State Police report is in on the horrific deaths of two Milford teens struck by a speeding police officer, the Milford Board of Police Commissioners should move quickly to get Officer Jason Anderson off the payroll.

Whether the board decides to fire the officer, who was captured on video flying at 94 mph in the moments leading up to the fatal crash, it should change the officer's suspension to a non-paid one.

Anderson's been charged with two counts of manslaughter in the deaths of 19-year-old David Servin and Ashlie Krakowski, whose car he rammed shortly after 2 a.m. last June while he and another officer were speeding down the Boston Post Road on their way back from a mutual aid call in West Haven.

Until release of the State Police report -- and there's no question that a thorough, deliberate investigation was called for and done -- the city of Milford has said it could not conduct its own investigation.

Therefore, the board suspended Anderson with pay after he was charged in the deaths.

The facts in the case, as most dramatically displayed in a video shot by the dashboard camera of another officer who was on the scene, show that Anderson was driving in a way so reckless as to warrant dismissal.

For anyone to be driving at over 90 mph on the Post Road, regardless of the time of day, is simply outrageous. And when it's a sworn officer of the law, it's really beyond the pale.

Anderson will have his day in court to answer the criminal charges, but his behavior warrants the most severe sanction the city can issue.
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Other Information: http://www.connpost.com/ci_13953900

Detective Kevin Spellman Charged with Killing Pedestrian While Drunk Driving

One day after the arrest of an off-duty police detective on charges he killed a pedestrian while driving drunk, the authorities provided more details about the five-hour gap between the accident and the time the police were able to obtain a sample of the detective’s blood, saying the detective’s case was processed more quickly than is normal in such cases.

Prosecutors said the detective, Kevin C. Spellman, 42, a 22-year veteran of the force, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu that struck and killed Drana Nikac, 67, as she crossed Kingsbridge Avenue in the Bronx early on Friday morning. He was charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, criminally negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.

It was the second time in five weeks that an off-duty police officer was charged with killing a civilian when driving drunk. On Sept. 27, Officer Andrew Kelly, 30, was arrested after the sport-utility vehicle he was driving struck Vionique Valnord-Kassime as she tried to flag a cab, the authorities said.

In that case, prosecutors said Officer Kelly refused a breath test at the scene, and a blood test seven hours later showed he had no alcohol in his system. He has pleaded not guilty.

Police officials said they worked quickly to process Detective Spellman’s case in the hours between the 6:30 a.m. accident, and noon, when they drew the blood sample. Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx district attorney, said his office also moved promptly, and he disputed the idea that the time frame of more than five hours represented any kind of delay.

“Focusing solely on a time line in a vacuum is an oversimplification of what’s involved,” Mr. Reed said in a statement. “The mere notification of an incident is not the same as having all of the information that the law requires before a search warrant can be issued.”

On Friday morning, a sergeant at the scene told prosecutors that Detective Spellman’s speech was slurred, his eyes were glassy and he smelled of alcohol, according to the text of the criminal complaint. About 7:40 a.m., another officer heard Detective Spellman say that had not seen the victim, who “came out of nowhere,” the complaint said.

At 8 a.m., Detective Spellman refused a breath test at the scene, according to Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s chief spokesman. Shortly afterward, police officials contacted prosecutors to make them aware of the case, Mr. Browne said.

Detective Spellman was taken to the 45th Precinct station house, and by 9:46 a.m., he was videotaped refusing a second, more sophisticated breath test, Mr. Browne said.

With that refusal, police officials and prosecutors set about trying to obtain the blood sample.

Shortly after 10 a.m., a sergeant who had been at the scene of the accident arrived at the Bronx district attorney’s office to work with prosecutors on an application for a court order. Mr. Reed said that by law, a police officer was required to request such an order in person.

In the meantime, officials with the Internal Affairs Bureau ordered Detective Spellman be taken to Jacobi Medical Center to await a blood test.

State Supreme Court Justice Harold Adler signed an order to take the detective’s blood at 11:39 a.m. Friday, said Kali Holloway, a spokeswoman for the State Office of Court Administration.

By noon, Detective Spellman’s blood was drawn, the authorities said.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/nyregion/31cop.html

Officer Andrew Kelly Indicted for Running Over Pastor's Daughter

NYPD COP Andrew Kelly was indicted for vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and speeding Wednesday, two weeks after running over a pastor's daughter.

Kelly could face as much as seven years in prison if convicted in the Sept. 27 crash that killed Vionique Valnord, 32.

The off-duty officer's lawyer said he was not drunk. "This was a tragic, horrific accident," said Arthur Aidala. "He was driving on a dark, rainy, foggy night."

Authorities say he was glassy-eyed, reeked of booze and slurred his words - but he refused a Breathalyzer test.

A blood-alcohol test wasn't performed until more than seven hours later, and it showed no alcohol in his system by then.

Kelly declined to testify before a Brooklyn grand jury, but the panel heard from an accident reconstruction expert, witnesses at the scene and three of Kelly's passengers, sources said.

The witnesses included a buddy who told cops after the crash Kelly had been in two bars and drank six to eight beers.

Kelly was suspended, along with a cop at the scene who gave him water and gum. A sergeant has been transferred during an internal probe.

The Valnords' lawyer said his clients are confident they will get "justice."

"The family now awaits the investigation of the Internal Affairs Bureau to determine if there was an attempt to cover up," lawyer Sanford Rubenstein said.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/10/14/2009-10-14_accused_dwi_cop_andrew_kelly_indicted_for_vehicular_manslaughter_.html#ixzz0U4h0BrSo

Officer Andrew Kelly Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter

The New York Police Department has suspended a third officer following an alleged drunken driving accident that killed a pastor's daughter on a Brooklyn street.

An off-duty officer, Andrew Kelly, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.

The officer was suspended after surveillance video showed he gave Kelly gum and bottles of water at the scene. Another officer was suspended last week for fleeing the scene of the accident.

Vionique Valnord (vee-oh-NEEK' val-NORD') was killed early Sunday as she tried to hail a cab after a wedding reception.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has called the case is 'disturbing.' The department's internal probe continues.

Officer Andrew Kelly No Hero

A cop who mowed down a preacher's daughter was no hero at the scene, family members and sources familiar with the probe of the drunk driving crash told the Daily News Friday.

"That story is a bunch of bull," a source said referring to Officer Andrew Kelly's claim that he gave the victim CPR moments after the Sunday morning accident.

"He barely touched the girl. His hands were almost on her stomach, not her chest."

Investigators believe someone who was at the same Brooklyn wedding that victim Vionique Valnord had just attended was desperately pumping her chest and giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

"His mouth never even touched her mouth," the source said, adding that a second person who also attended the wedding was helping with the mouth-to-mouth.

Kelly's hero pose outraged Valnord's family.

"I think it's an insult," Valnord's father, the Rev. Varius Valnord told the News.

"He's trying to take the blame from himself. He's the one to blame. I forgive him, but the lord will do the right thing."

The 7-year-veteran cop was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI for slamming his Jeep Cherokee into Valnord as she hailed a cab in Old Mill Basin.

Three passengers, including a fellow officer, fled. It took seven hours to get Kelly's blood for an alcohol test. NYPD Internal Affairs investigators are probing for a possible cover-up by cops at the scene.

One officer has been suspended for giving Kelly two bottles of water and gum after the crash, News reported earlier Friday.

Kelly's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, handed a prosecutor a condolence card for Valnord's family in court Friday, and again insisted the officer wasn't drunk.

Aidala earlier this week said that Kelly "brought her back to life" and that she was breathing when he "handed" Valnord over to the paramedics. "She never regained consciousness," a source told The News.

Kelly had worked a regular shift at the 68th Precinct earlier in the day before going to a bar, then to a friend's house to watch the Notre Dame football game, and then to a second bar where he allegedly had six-to-eight drinks.

His blood alcohol level later found no booze in his system. Witnesses told investigators Kelly was unsteady, had glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol, although he was given gum and water and was chain-smoking cigarettes at the scene.

"This would be another example of police attempting to help cover-up for a fellow officer who may have committed a serious crime," said lawyer Sanford Rubenstein, who the family has hired.

"No matter what spin is being attempted, the facts speak for themselves. He was not sober at the time of this tragedy."
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Other Information: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/nyregion/03dwi.html

New Details On Officer Donnie Breeden Accused of Hit and Run

New details are emerging in the case of a Crafton police officer accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian near Station Square and then fleeing the scene.

Donnie Breeden, 38, is charged with the July 2007 death of David Hall on West Carson Street, in Pittsburgh.

Hall, 24, was struck in the 1500 block of West Carson Street after stopping to talk to a bus driver, according to Pittsburgh police.

"Clearly, when there's allegations that a police officer is involved, he's violated the crimes code, that's cause for sadness in the law enforcement community. It's a tragic situation," said assistant district attorney Mark Tranquilli.

"He's very upset, obviously, extremely upset. His world is turned upside down. But I'll think he'll get through it," said Breeden's attorney, William Difenderfer."

According to the criminal complaint, a witness told police that on the night of the hit-and-run, Breeden was with a group of friends at a restaurant when they decided to go to the South Side.

The witness told police that Breeden drove separately from the rest of the group.

Investigators said the witness told them that one of the people in the group got a call from Breeden saying he had hit a person with his vehicle on West Carson Street.

The witness went on to say that when the rest of the group arrived at the accident scene, they saw a Port Authority bus and several other vehicles, including Breeden's, stopped in the road near the victim.

In the criminal complaint, the witness told police that Breeden told his friends that he couldn't stay at the accident scene because "I'm a cop. I can't go to jail. If I go to jail, I will kill myself. I'm getting out of here. No one knows I did this, so I am getting out of here." The witness said Breeden left the scene.

A few days after the incident, the witness told police he went to Breeden's house to fix the damage to the SUV involved in the crash. The witness also said Breeden is still driving the same vehicle.

Breeden had been with the Crafton police force since 1994. He was released from the Allegheny County Jail on bail and faces two charges of involuntary manslaughter and accidents involving death.

At a hearing on Friday, Breeden's case was waived to trial. His next court date is Aug. 17.

Slideshow - Photos From The Case

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Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/07/officer-donnie-breeden-arrested-for-hit.html
Other Information:
July 9, 2009: Paid Suspension For Cop Charged In Hit-And-Run Death
July 5, 2009: Crafton Police Officer Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run

Officer Keith Buckley Indicted for Failing to Perform his Duties

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.

A grand jury in Middlesex County has indicted a North Brunswick police lieutenant on official misconduct charges in a car crash that claimed the life of a fellow officer.

Tuesday's indictment charges Keith Buckley with failing to perform his duties while behind the wheel of a rented 2006 Dodge Viper that crashed into a utility pole at high speed, killing Lt. Christopher Zerby.

It also alleges that he took off his gun and handcuffs before getting in the car, leaving him unable to perform his job.

Buckley earlier was indicted on a charge of vehicular homicide. He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer, Robert Gluck, says he is also innocent of the new charges.

The crash occurred on Aug. 12, 2008. Buckley escaped serious injury.

Officer Donnie Breeden Arrested for Hit and Run

Pittsburgh Police arrested a Crafton Police officer this morning on charges he struck and killed a 24-year-old man with his vehicle, then fled from the scene, two years ago in the South Side.

Donnie L. Breeden, 38, of Green Tree, turned himself in this morning at police headquarters in the North Side. He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and was being arraigned this afternoon on charges of involuntary manslaughter and causing an accident involving death or personal injury.

Assistant Police Chief Maurita Bryant said investigators received an anonymous tip three days ago leading them to Breeden.

"We were able to obtain a warrant for — I don't even want to say officer — for Breeden," Bryant said at a news conference this afternoon. "This is like a slap in the face for every police officer who honors the badge. You stop, you render aid and you wait for officers to arrive. ... He chose to keep going and keep it a secret all this time."

Police have examined Breeden's vehicle — a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer — and found areas that have been repaired, Bryant said.

The victim, David Hall of Moon, died after he was struck first by Breeden's vehicle, and then by two others, at about 11:40 p.m. July 20, 2007 in the westbound lane near the Duquesne Incline, police said.

More people could be charged, Bryant said, adding that some of Breeden's "acquaintances" were following him in another vehicle and saw him hit Hall. The group was driving to a bar or club in the South Side, she said.
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Other Information: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_632426.html

Officer Martray Proctor Charged with Manslaughter

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Martray Proctor was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter in the wreck last month that killed a 20-year-old woman.

Proctor, 24, turned himself in just after noon and was fingerprinted, photographed and released on $10,000 bond.

Proctor's attorney George Laughrun wouldn't discuss the case, but said: “We are going to plead not guilty – absolutely not guilty – to involuntary manslaughter.”

Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by 10 months to nearly five years in prison, and is generally defined an unintentional killing stemming from recklessness, negligence or an unlawful act.

Shatona Robinson was a popular cafe worker at The Pines retirement home in Davidson, where residents recalled her compassion and sunny nature.

Her cousin Crystal Robinson said she thinks the charge is fair. She'd feared Proctor might not be prosecuted.

“I was surprised and relieved they're actually taking care of it,” said Robinson, 29. “They're doing something about it and letting the officers know it's not OK for you to go out and speed and do what you want to do.”

Proctor, who has been cited three times for speeding in North Carolina, was driving his patrol car on Old Statesville Road on March 29 and collided with a 1991 Ford Escort. Robinson, the driver of the Escort, died at the scene. Three passengers in her car and Proctor were injured.

Proctor was en route to assist another officer who had made a routine traffic stop. Police Chief Rodney Monroe said Proctor was driving over 90mph with the siren off. The speed limit on that part of Old Statesville Road is 45.

Investigators said they received conflicting statements on whether Proctor had his emergency blue lights on. But police said an in-car camera that starts automatically when the blue lights come on never activated.

N.C. law and department rules require that officers obey posted speed limits unless their vehicle's blue lights and siren are activated.

Proctor has been on paid leave as police do an internal investigation into the wreck.

“This is a most tragic incident for both the Robinson family and the Proctor family, who, along with their friends and relatives, have been impacted the most,” police said in a statement Thursday.

Police and prosecutors on Thursday didn't have statistics on how many times officers have been involved in fatal wrecks. But they recalled only two other cases in which officers were charged in several decades.

District Attorney Peter Gilchrist declined to comment on the case against Proctor.

“We do not discuss the facts in pending cases,” he said.

Proctor has been ticketed for speeding three times, according to court records, twice before he became an officer.

In June 2007, he was stopped in Cleveland County and accused of driving 63 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to court records. The charge was later reduced to driving 44 mph in a 35mph zone and a clerk waived the case, documents show.

In October 2005, authorities in Gaston County stopped Proctor for driving 86 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to court documents. The charge was later reduced to 74 mph in a 60 mph zone. Proctor received a prayer for judgment, which typically means the driver admits to an infraction, but does not receive points on their driver's license. Proctor paid $110 in court costs, records show

In the third case, Proctor was cited for driving 30 mph in a 20 mph zone in 2003 in Cleveland County, records show. He paid a fine and court costs, records show.

Proctor, who works in the department's north division, has not had any complaints lodged against him and has never been disciplined by his superiors since becoming an officer, officials said.

CMPD said it conducted a background check on Proctor in February 2007 and hired him the next month.

The department looks into the driving histories of all prospective officers during background searches, officials said. A history of speeding tickets does not automatically disqualify a candidate from becoming an officer. But offenses such as driving while impaired, negligent accidents, incidents of road rage and recent violations could disqualify a job candidate, they said.

Sworn officers are not required to inform the department of speeding tickets they get on their own time. If their license is suspended or revoked or if they are cited for a crime more serious than speeding, such as drunken driving, they must inform the department.

On Thursday, Crystal Robinson said the family hasn't heard from Proctor.

“We forgive him, but it's hard to forget,” she said. “You have to believe in God – that's the only way. If you didn't you'd be angry forever.”

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http://www.wsoctv.com/news/19275019/detail.html

Drunken Officer Martin Abreu Runs Over Couple

A drunken Jersey City cop plowed his car into a young couple as they crossed a downtown street early today, killing the woman and leaving her friend in intensive care, sources said.

Officer Martin Abreu, 25, from Jersey City, who was off-duty, allegedly mowed down Huang Feng, 26, and her unidentified male friend, also 26, as they walked across West Street, at Albany Street, at about 3:40 a.m.

Feng, who lived nearby, died immediately, cops said.

Her companion was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital, where he was listed in critical, but stable condition.

Abreu, who was driving a Toyota Camry, was cuffed at the scene and charged with vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault and DWI, police said.

Abreu, who has been with the Jersey City police since 2005, was suspended without pay.

"The charges surrounding this incident are most serious and this type of activity will not be tolerated by the JCPD," said Chief Tom Comey.

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http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/93572/jersey-police-officer-charged-in-pedestrian-death/Default.aspx

Corporal Mario Chavez In Trouble Again

A Prince George's County police officer who was off duty and traveling at twice the speed limit in a county cruiser in 2007 when he collided with a car, killing a University of Maryland student, has been suspended after allegations that he was intoxicated in public and might have inappropriately displayed a handgun, sources said yesterday.

County police officers received an internal e-mail at 11:32 p.m. Monday saying that "effective immediately, the police powers of Corporal Mario Chavez . . . have been suspended." The e-mail resembles standard notices distributed when officers are involved in departmental shootings or other events that require them to be placed on administrative leave. The e-mails direct that those who are suspended be prohibited from entering police facilities.

Chavez "was suspended, but it was unrelated to the prior event," said Officer Henry Tippett, a police spokesman, adding that the department could not disclose details of the suspension.

Sources familiar with Chavez's situation, however, said he is under investigation for an episode last month in which it's alleged he was intoxicated and perhaps displayed a handgun. The two spoke on condition of anonymity because the incident remains under investigation.

Attempts to identify a phone number for Chavez, 31, were unsuccessful, and a county attorney representing him in a civil case stemming from the accident did not return a phone call seeking comment.

In December 2007, Chavez struck a car driven by Brian Gray, 20, who had pulled out in front of him at a Bowie intersection. In a sworn deposition, Chavez later acknowledged drinking "three, four" beers the night before the early-morning accident and sleeping on a friend's couch.

Last month, he was issued a speeding ticket after State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey said there was not enough evidence to charge Chavez with vehicular manslaughter, which in Maryland requires proving that a driver acted with "gross negligence," one of the highest such standards in the country. An internal police investigation that could result in administrative action against Chavez began after Ivey completed his criminal review.

Probationary Officer Ryan Honnette Arrested for Vehicular Manslaughter

A 27-year-old Stockton Police Department probationary officer has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony drunken driving.

Ryan Honnette of Denair had completed police academy and was nearing the end of the department's 18-month probationary officer program, Officer Pete Smith, a Stockton Police Department spokesman, confirmed.

"He had been here for very nearly that amount of time," Smith said.

Because of the personnel issues, Smith would not comment further other than to confirm that Honnette was on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into the fatal crash outside of La Grange.

Honnette shortly after 4:40 p.m. Saturday was driving a sport utility vehicle south on Lake Road a little more than a mile south of state Highway 132 southwest of La Grange, California Highway Patrol Officer Tom Killian said. The vehicle was going at about 40 mph.

"Due to intoxication, he was unable to negotiate the curves in the road," Killian said of Honnette.

The sport utility vehicle drifted onto the west shoulder, Honnette overcorrected and the vehicle ended up in the oncoming lane, Killian said. Honnette overcorrected again, causing the vehicle to return to the west shoulder, off the road and through some bushes before Honnette overcorrected again and lost control.

The vehicle returned to the southbound lane of the road where it overturned once and came to rest on the driver's side, Killian said.

Matthew Miller, 25, of Turlock was a rear-seat passenger and was not wearing a seatbelt. He was thrown from the vehicle through a rear window, Killian said. Miller was taken to Oak Valley Hospital in Oakdale and pronounced dead.

Other passengers in the vehicle, Blake Gonsalves, 25, Wesley Romero, 27, and Timothy Robero, 25, all of Turlock, were not seriously hurt. Only Honnette and Gonsalves were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

Honnette was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony drunken driving, Killian said, but Honnette's name does not appear on the Stanislaus County Jail in-custody Web site.


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