Arrests at Occupy Albany May Day return, two bank robberies in one day, Watervliet Church could be designated historic place, elephants return to Albany
In a first of its kind requirement, lawyers will soon have to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono legal work before they can be admitted to the New York State Bar. New York's top judge unveiled the new requirement at a Law Day ceremony yesterday, saying it could add up to as much as half a million hours of free legal advice a year for New Yorkers in need. [NYT] [TU] [Capitol Confidential]
Twenty Occupy Albany protesters were arrested in Lafayette Park late Tuesday night after protesting after hours. Earlier in the day three OA protestors were arrested for allegedly trying to erect a shelter in the park. They were charged with second degree obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct. DA David Soares says he won't prosecute protesters for non violent offenses. [TU] [News 10] [TU]
Only days after winning a long struggle for a new trial in a 12 year old murder case, the defendant, Katherine M. Seeber pleaded guilty to the crime. Under what is called an Alford plea, Seeber maintained that she did not strangle her set-great-grandmother to death in February of 2000, but admitted the charge could probably be proved by prosecutors. She is facing up to 17 years in prison, 12 of which she has already served. [Saratogian] [TU] [Post Star]
Troy police say the shooting outside a 6th Avenue home yesterday afternoon was not a random act, but rather "a targeted conflict." Four shots were fired with a semi-automatic handgun, hitting an adult but sparing some kids who were at the home. [Record] [TU] [YNN]
Two Capital Region bank robberies occurred within hours of each other on Tuesday. Police in Colonie arrested a man for allegedly robbing the Citizens Bank at Northway Mall. And in Troy, police expect that surveillance video will lead them to the man who robbed the First Niagra Bank at the Hudson Valley Shopping Plaza. [WNYT] [TU] [Record]
The owner of the of the Llenroc Mansion in Rexford has been indicted on charges she "concealed, harbored and shielded from detection" an illegal Indian immigrant so the immigrant could cook, clean and provide childcare seven days a week from dawn until late in the evening for three years -- only paying her $29,000. The U.S. government could seize the mansion as part of her sentence. [TU] [Gazette]
While defending himself at a press conference on Tuesday in a controversy over the validity of time sheets filed with the county conflict defender's office, defense attorney and Albany County DA candidate Lee Kindlon said he's walked into the county jail as many as 15 times without ever signing in to the facility. [TU]
Albany County Legislative chair Shawn Morse is expected to announce today that he'll challenge Neil Breslin in a primary for the 44th Senate District. [Record]
St. Patrick's church in Watervliet meets the eligibility requirements for the National Register of Historic Places -- a qualification that The Citizens for St. Patrick's hope will keep the building from being torn down to make way for a Price Chopper. The pastor of the parish objects to the effort to put the church on the historic register. [TU] [Record]
A Greenfield woman was convicted for failure to provide proper food, water and sustenance for starving and neglecting her horses. As part of sentencing the judge is expected to require that Ann Arnold be barred from ever owning horses again. [TU] [Saratogian]
Someone robbed the concession stand at Saratoga's East Side Recreation field yesterday, making off with money and a safe that contained cash and Valley Cats tickets to be used in an upcoming fundraiser.[WNYT]
Tuitiion at SCCC will remain stable next year thanks to a state aid hike that amounts to $150 per full time student. [Gazette]
Albany Preparatory Charter School will close next year and merge with Albany Achievement Academy Charger School. [TU]
The last phase of the Fuller Road roundabout construction will mean some road closures starting this weekend and continuing through May 14. [TU]
The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing recently completed a $30 million upgrade and $5 million more in improvements are planned for this year. [Post Star]
A Greenwich artist who used to paint romance novel covers will have a t-shirt design featured in the new Carhartt work clothing store at Crossgates. [Post Star]
Some of the area's apple growers have been staying up all night fighting frost in an effort to save heir crop. [Post Star]
Forbes magazine has named Glens Falls one of the ten best small cities for jobs in the country, but a labor Market Analyst thinks the numbers are inflated because of seasonal jobs in the area. [Post Star]
Two brothers who are EMS volunteers in Rensselaerville revived an unexpected twin infant who was not breathing after a home birth early Monday morning. [News 10]
Lawrence, the Stockade Indian, is taking a vacation.[Gazette]
Elephants walked through the streets of downtown Albany yesterday. [TU]
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Comments
I hate to be the grump that has to speak out about pro bono services, but I know literally dozens of newly minted attorneys who are scraping by on ramen noodles in order to service their non-dischargeable in bankruptcy student loans.
It's absolutely unconscionable to force these people who are functionally living in poverty to work for free.
I wish to god that "You're a lawyer, that means you're rich" was true, but anyone who is proposing new policy based on that sort of thought in 2012 is obviously not paying attention.
... said Ike on May 2, 2012 at 10:55 AM | link
Putting the church on the National Register is no guarantee of protection. 982 buildings listed on the register have been destroyed.
... said Eric Scheirer Stott on May 2, 2012 at 11:01 AM | link
Not to be picky but the word "achievement" is spelled incorrectly...I only point it out because it made me giggle given the context.
I do agree with Ike, new attorneys work ridiculous hours for next to nothing in pay already. Maybe they should make it part of continuing legal education requirements instead.
... said Valerae on May 2, 2012 at 11:42 AM | link
Grand juries don't convict defendents, they indict. The case still has to go to trial.
"St. Mary's Hspital" ?
... said bk on May 2, 2012 at 12:05 PM | link
It is unlikely NYS will be able to force pro-bono work. It has been shot down as unconstitutional in other places they have tried to do this. You can't force people to work for free as a condition for them being able to practice law (or do anything else).
The solution isn't to force people to work for free - the solution is to fully fund Legal Aid Services. The Republicans are trying to end Legal Aid Services entirely because they don't believe there is any need for it. EVERYONE should have equal access to the legal system in this country otherwise it's not much of a JUSTICE system, right?
... said xina on May 2, 2012 at 12:53 PM | link
With regard to the pro bono service requirement for novice attorneys: I'm troubled by this new requirement. It seems unfair to single-out a group of people for unpaid labor. This is simply not the solution to our state's failure to make adequate legal services available to those who cannot afford them. But I guess this is one result of the fiscal conservatives' policy of "starving the beast."
... said Bob on May 2, 2012 at 12:58 PM | link
Do doctors have to work for free before they get their medical license? It's a hell of a concept if applied broadly (which it's not).
... said chrisck on May 2, 2012 at 1:10 PM | link
I could do a lot of good work here.
... said Lionel Hutz on May 2, 2012 at 2:08 PM | link
It's ironic that these new law graduates, who are not licensed to practice law, must provide free legal work, which they are not licensed to provide, in order to become licensed to provide it.
Seriously though, I know they'll do so under the supervision of a licensed attorney, etc. but there is something wrong with the fact that these new lawyers are considered sufficiently qualified to provide legal work as long as they do it for free; yet, the same system that's requiring them to do this considers them unqualified when it comes time to actually hire them for (gasp!) pay. Legal services need to be adequately funded. Legal services need to be adequately funded. Legal services need to be adequately funded. And new lawyers need to be adequately paid for the work they provide.
... said JessG. on May 2, 2012 at 10:02 PM | link