Raul Johnson’s own words – and his conscience – got him convicted of attempted murder of a now 81-year-old former teacher and a potential prison sentence reaching 25 years.

Johnson, 20,  nearly three years after the stabbing, went to the Clarkstown police to finger the stabber. He convinced the police he knew who did it and [...]

Rockland prosecutors today fell on their own sword  and dismissed sexual abuse charges and other counts against fired Ramapo Police Officer Andrew Dale – killing the controversial case before Judge Catherine Bartlett likely would have after hearing all the testimony in a non-jury trial. Charges also were dismissed against Zalman Silber, a millionaire Monsey businessman.

Prosecutors [...]

Judge Catherine Bartlett just finished listening to attorney Anthony C. Emengo make his arguments and reached for her next case when the lawyer rushed back into her courtroom this morning, yelling that his client had just been arrested.

Barlett looked up as Emango said, “They just picked him up now. They pushed me away. They are [...]

Ramapo defense attorney David Goldstein decided today to have Justice Catherine Bartlett decide whether  fired Ramapo Police Officer Andrew Dale is guilty of sexual abuse.

Dale is accused of performing medical examinations of the gynecological type on the former wife of a Monsey businessman, Zalman Silber, who will be tried separately.

Dale and Silber are accused of [...]

Rockland County Court Judge Victor Alfieri returned to the bench in New City today for some  sentencings.  For weeks, Alfieri has been assigned – essentially full-time – by judicial leaders to fill a spot in Orange County, even though he’s been elected to serve in Rockland.  Appointed Court of Claims Judge Catherine Bartlett has been given his spot in [...]

State Supreme Court Justice William Kelly remains off the bench with a bad shoulder.
The judge recently underwent surgery. He is recuperating at home.
Kelly handles criminal and civil cases at the Rockland Courthouse in New City. His cases are on hold until his return.

A state Supreme Court Justice Robert Berliner has vacated the Cole-Hatchard families confession of judgment signed by James Nicholson admitting he owed family members $931,724.

The decision – which takes effect on Sept. 15 to give the family a chance to appeal – puts Ann and Doris Cole-Hatchard back in line with hundreds of other investors [...]

Robert Romanowski got back on the ballot today for the Sept. 15 Republican Party nomination for Ramapo supervisor against Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence, a Democrat.

State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Garvey reversed herself after a hearing today for Romanowski and his supporters explained alterations to his nominating petitions.

Garvey originally nullified the petitions but the Appellate Division [...]

A Ramapo Republican candidate for supervisor could get a second shot at getting his name on the Sept. 15 primary ballot.

A state Appellate Division panel yesterday told Supreme Court Justice Margaret Garvey to allow Robert Romanowski  a hearing. He can then offer evidence to explain the alterations on his nominating petitions.

Garvey scheduled the hearing for [...]

Sept. 4 Correction:

Acting state Supreme Court Judge Catherine Bartlett didn’t find Victor Dempsey not guilty of criminal charges, but her ruling provided the same result of dismissing the charges.

Bartlett issued a trial order of dismissal involving the case against Dempsey, charged with first-degree gang assault and other charges. Her decision came weeks after the non-jury [...]