Does playing dirty justify getting a guilty verdict? I’ve been reading the Raucci case from the start and lately am very disgusted in the way the district attorney (Bob Carney) is hanging everyone’s dirty laundry out just to get a guilty verdict. There is only one person on trial here. [Carney] should not be destroying other people’s reputations to get a guilty verdict. I’m quite sure the evidence is there and he will get one without destroying the reputations of certain individuals. I’ve yet to see any evidence that Joanne DeSarbo is guilty. The only thing I’ve seen is an attempt to ruin her reputation based on speculation. I have, however, seen a lot of evidence that the superintendent of Schenectady schools was well aware of what Mr. Raucci was doing. So I have to wonder why he isn’t being listed as a co-conspirator?
Schenectady school district is a unit of county government March 26, 2010 at 10:27 am by Paul Nelson
The judge in the arson and terrorism trial of Steven Raucci has ruled that the Schenectady school district is a government entity, specifically a unit of Schenectady County government.
That paves the way for a jurors, when they begin deliberations next week, to consider high level terrorism charge related to an alleged the vandalism of Gary DiNola’s Clifton Park home in November 2006. If convicted on that count alone, Raucci could face a maximum life imprisonment.
Prosecutors contend Raucci also left an explosive under the windshield wiper of DiNola’s sports utility vehicle. The athletic director for the Schenectady school district was embroiled in running battle with the facilities director over access DiNola wanted for his coaches and athletes.
As the Schenectady School district’s energy manger, Raucci was trying to restrict that availability, as a way of curbing the district energy bills. Raucci, 61, also served as the district’s facilities director and CSEA local unit president.
Judge Polly Hoye also Friday rejected a defense motion to dismiss the criminal charges against Raucci and will also allow jurors to weigh charges the defendant has been indicted on in Rensselaer, Albany and Saratoga counties.
Hoye also ruled that statements other witnesses attributed to CSEA county president Joanne DeSarbo regarding the vandalism and attempted bombing of a Schodack home owned by DeSarbo’s former girlfriend. DeSarbo, who does not face criminal charges in this matter, did not testify during the trial. But prosecutors have said she was a co-conspirator in the Schodack bombing in January of 2007.
CSEA union took lumps at Raucci trial Details from case indicate officials ignored complaints
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer First published in print: Monday, March 29, 2010 Union members pay dues for the express purpose of protecting themselves against mistreatment from their employers.
But judging by testimony and evidence at the Steven Raucci trial, some union workers in the Schenectady city school district might wonder if they were getting their money's worth. Raucci, the district's former facilities supervisor, for years also was president of the Schenectady district's Civil Service Employees Association's operations and maintenance unit.
He faces arson, terrorism and criminal mischief charges for allegedly vandalizing property and placing explosive devices at homes and on cars of perceived enemies from 1993 to 2009. Closing arguments are scheduled for today, after which deliberations will begin.
Details that have emerged during his trial indicate statewide CSEA leaders knew about complaints against Raucci and did nothing to remove him from his union leadership post until after his arrest last year.
Even as Schenectady County CSEA union leaders Hal and Deborah Gray had their homes and cars vandalized, and said they appealed to the regional CSEA for help, union leaders remained silent, according to testimony and documents entered into evidence by the Schenectady County district attorney's office............>>>>..............>>>>............Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=916309&category=SCHENECTADY#ixzz0jYwYgE2E
An attorney from albany was on the news....don't remember who it was. But he said the defense was weak and that there is 'reasonable doubt'.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
IMHO, by DeAngelus's poor defense, there's grounds for a mistrial or appeal right there. "My lawyer didn't defend me, let me out while a new trial is being organized".
I understand that one of the charges against Mr. Raucci is conspiracy. How can he be charged with and, perhaps, convicted of conspiracy when there are no co-conspirators identified or charged with criminal acts?
In my opinion, the report that is being kept from release to the media and to the public contains damning information about others who have involvement in these criminal activities. I can only imagine the identities of some of the participants.
Where in the world is AG Andrew Cuomo? Doesn't he feel that an alleged terrorism case is worthy of the involvement of his office?
Will we ever know the possible extent of the criminal element in the city schools and, perhaps, local government?
I understand that one of the charges against Mr. Raucci is conspiracy. How can he be charged with and, perhaps, convicted of conspiracy when there are no co-conspirators identified or charged with criminal acts?
In my opinion, the report that is being kept from release to the media and to the public contains damning information about others who have involvement in these criminal activities. I can only imagine the identities of some of the participants.
Where in the world is AG Andrew Cuomo? Doesn't he feel that an alleged terrorism case is worthy of the involvement of his office?
Will we ever know the possible extent of the criminal element in the city schools and, perhaps, local government?
I'm guessing Coumo knows full well about this .. but is staying out of it because of the can of worms it'll open during an election year
A conspiracy of one? Only at the "award winning" Schenectady School district. Is there an award for most dysfunctional, wasteful school system? Nobody knew from nuthin-except when they warned the Mad Bomber the noose was tightening? Bring in the terminix.
AG Cuomo should have started investigating this long ago. Yes, a can of worms-exactly what he should be investigating. He rather be chasing stock brokerage houses to New Jersey-with their thousands of employees.
I don't know if raucci is guilty or not. I won't make a judgment call on what the gazette throws out there. But I will say that I don't think he's getting a fair trial. I see APPEAL all over this case!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Raucci jury seeks clarity on jurisdiction Panel ends first full day of deliberations without reaching a verdict
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published in print: Wednesday, March 31, 2010
SCHENECTADY - Jurors deliberating Tuesday in Steven Raucci's trial sought to clarify issues related to the location of crimes outside Schenectady County, particularly one that led to a terrorism charge.
The panel of six men and six women also asked to hear testimony from one of the prosecution's star witnesses about the earliest firebombing of which Raucci is suspected, one that occurred in 1993 in Glenville. That incident was covered in a portion of testimony from Keith McKenna, the prosecutions confidential informant who wore a recording device during three meetings with Raucci, the former Schenectady school district facilities director and energy manager.
Terrorism is one of the 22 charges against Raucci, who is accused of vandalizing and bombing the homes and vehicles of people who supposedly crossed him or his friends.
Prosecutors say he committed the crimes from 1993 until four days before he was arrested at his office at Mont Pleasant Middle School on Feb. 20, 2009. If convicted on the terrorism charge alone, Raucci could face a maximum sentence of life behind bars......................>>>>.............>>>>..........Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=917001#ixzz0jkiHoFpI
For months, my husband and I have followed the events leading up to and including the Raucci trial. As former Schenectady residents whose children were educated in the public schools, and in which I worked as a school nurse/teacher for 25 years, our question has been, where is the public outrage? Where is the concern over the apparent decline in the quality of education? True, we are among the many who have, for one reason or another, moved to another area and may not be entitled to criticize. However, we recall the days when it was a matter of pride to attend or work in the Schenectady city schools. My husband graduated from Nott Terrace High School Class of ‘48, so together, we have many years invested in the history of the city and its schools, whose names carry those of Harry Linton and Jessie Zoller. These educators, and many more I could name, would turn over in their graves in the face of these current events! Wake up, Schenectady residents, and reclaim your educational reputation!
Logged
The Mad Bomber liked to play with fireworks-what a defense for a 61 year old Union President/Janitor? Only in Schenectady Schools.
