Pot preference for ‘justice involved’ gives pause to law enforcement New York took a big step toward opening its first licensed retail marijuana dispensaries when the Office of Cannabis Management adopted regulations on March 10 that could see some stores up and running by the end of the calendar year. The proposed rules place ‘justice-involved’ individuals at the head of the line for winning the right to open a storefront dispensary – a priority in the 2021 law paving the…
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John Muehl
Otsego County’s DA calls discovery, bail ‘form over function’ Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl is stark and passionate about New York State’s criminal justice reform to the point where — absent modification to the new laws — he won’t seek reelection in 2023. He’s on the record with that pronouncement from late last year, frustrated that from his point of view, New York’s bail and discovery statutes don’t let him do his job. “With the combination of bail and…
New cannabis laws leave enforcement a little hazy By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com Otsego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed this week it is investigating a local business for “gifting” marijuana but that it also is not certain of enforcement protocol. County Sheriff Sergeant Michael Stalter called the process a “convoluted quagmire.” “It’s a very difficult thing right now,” he said. “We’re trying to catch up on the new (marijuana possession) laws as it is.…
DA mulls vacating Borggreen plea deal following Robinson murder conviction By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN — Now that the trial of Dylan Robinson has ended in conviction, Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl said he is considering restarting the process against Robinson’s accomplice, Alexander Borggreen, for refusing to testify against Robinson despite making a plea deal. Muehl said he was satisfied with the conviction, which the jury returned Wednesday, June 23, although he said he was surprised…
Callahan admits to killing wife as part of plea to forgo new trial By GREG KLEIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com Casey Callahan pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the second degree Monday, May 3, in Otsego County Court, ending, for the second time, the criminal proceeding concerning the 2000 death of Callahan’s wife Elizabeth Welsh Callahan. Callahan, 54, admitted Monday that he backed over his wife with his truck in Sayre, Pennsylvania in 2000, killing her. He told Judge John Lambert,…
Sanctuary Drive Hits Roadblock D.A. Dismisses Idea; Reps Put Off Action By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The 2A Sanctuary Movement’s effort to banish all gun laws from Otsego County appears at a standstill, at least for now. “The county board has no real authority or jurisdiction,” county Rep. Dan Wilber, last week, told the county board’s Public Safety & Legal Affairs Committee, which he chairs. “Enforcement is left to the district attorney and the sheriff’s office.” Wilber said…
State Appellate Court Overturns Callahan Murder Conviction By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN – District Attorney John Muehl doesn’t see how overturning Casey Callahan’s guilty verdict is in the interest of justice. “This ruling was made ‘in the interest of justice,’” he said. “But their interest of justice is for a murderer, not a victim, who was a loving mother and a member of a close-knit family.” The Appellate Division, Third Department, overturned Callahan’s 2017 conviction for murder…
PART II: JUSTICE FOR ALL? On Jan. 1, Prosecuting Crimes To Get Harder, D.A. Muehl Foresees Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a three-part series on New York State’s justice reforms, which go into effect Jan. 1. By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN –Fifteen days is nowhere near enough time to marshall all evidence in a criminal case, argued District Attorney John Muehl. But that’s what the justice reforms that came out of Albany during the…
DA: Mom Fell Asleep, Smothered Twin Babies By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN – Kimberly Steeley, the woman accused of smothering her twins Bonde and Liam in 2018, did so by falling asleep while in bed with the children, District Attorney John Muehl told Judge John Lambert during a suppression hearing in Otsego County Court on Monday. “She told police she nodded off in bed with them,” he said. “She was reckless, and there is evidence that she…
PRESSLY MODEL AGENCY CITED C-V Woman Charged With Defrauding Models COOPERSTOWN – A Cherry Valley woman was charged with fraud after several out-of-state models claimed they paid her to help them book photo shoots and interviews, but never received any of the services promised. Victoria Pressly, 53, owner of Victoria Pressly PR Celebrity Agency, was indicted and charged with Grand Larceny, third degree and Scheme to Defraud, first degree, following an investigation by the Otsego County District Attorney’s office.…