All Over Albany

Day six in Bruno trial, marriage equality vote protest, details in Colonie soldier's death, residents weigh in on APD chief, Albany in-flight

Day six of deliberations is underway in the trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Yesterday jurors heard a three hour read-back of testimony from former Senate attorney and current judge Francis T. Collins. Collins testified early in November that he had sparse information on Bruno's outside business dealings when he was asked to give an ethical opinion about them. The jury has reached a verdict on two counts, but is still considering six counts. Bruno was optimistic enough about his own situation yesterday to comment on someone else's problems. [TU] [News9]

About 150 people showed up last night to protest the senates vote against gay marriage. Eight Democrats joined all the Senate Republicans in voting against the Marriage Equality Act this week. Governor Paterson is a strong proponent of marriage equality, but there's some question as to how involved he was in lobbying Senators to pass the act. Paterson's sagging popularity may be the reason same-sex marriage advocates did not seek his support for a final push. [AOA] [NYT]

The debate over how to close the NYS budget gap continues. Governor Paterson claims the legislature's efforts to close the gap this week don't go far enough. Paterson continues to claim he'll cut spending further, saying "I'm going to do it even without their permission, and if they want to take me to court, they can sue me, but I will not let this state run out of money on my watch." [WXXI via DailyPolitics]

Former State comptroller Alan Hevesi may have accepted bribes from a California investment banker who pleaded guilty in Andrew Cuomo's Pension Fraud investigation. Hevesi is believed to have taken 75 thousand dollars in luxury vacations for himself and his family while he was in office. Also named in the investment banker's confession -- former "Mod Squad" actress Peggy Lipton. [NYP]

Albany residents weighed in last night on what they want to see in their next police chief. At a public meeting at The College of Saint Rose, attendees expressed interest in community policing, a national search, and an opportunity to ask questions of the candiates.[WRGB]

Saratoga Springs may have a new police chief by the end of the day today. The police and fire chiefs retired earlier this week in an effort to save the jobs of other department empolyees. Outgoing Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim has been holding interviews and is expected to select a police chief today. Public Safety Commissioner elect Richard Wirth believes the decisions should be his, since they'll be working for him. [WTEN] [WRGB]

A New York State appeals court has upheld a ruling that overturns an attempted murder conviction. A juror in the trial of Michael Estella, who was accused of firing seven shots in a Schenectady diner, told the prosecutor that he based his verdict in the case on race. [TU]

Some new details have surfaced in the death of Army Staff Sgt. Amy Seyboth Tirador. With the help of elected officials, Tirador's mother has learned that her daughter was shot in the back of the head while walking to her room from her military intelligence job in Kirkush, Iraq. [TU]

Seton Health has proposed opening an emergency room in Clifton Park. It would be open 24 hours a day for walk-in patients and ambulances. [CapNews9] [WNYT]

Accused Schenectady bomber Steven Raucci will get $100 thousand of seized money returned to him. A judge ruled yesterday that there is no evidence that the money has anything to do with the crimes he is accused of committing. [TU]

Former state Supreme Court Justice Thomas Spargo has been disbarred. Spargo was convicted of extortion for trying to bribe an Ulster County lawyer. [WTEN]

If you're flying Southwest this month, check out the in-flight magazine. Albany is featured in an article in this month's Spirit Magazine. The article is in the business section and looks at the city's economic development. Oh, and hang on to your copy. If you mail a coupon to the Lark Bid you can win a $100 American Express gift card. [Fox23]