Federal trial for Matar to begin with jury selection today; opening statements tomorrow...
Jury selection for the federal trial of the New Jersey man convicted in county court of attacking and trying to kill famed author Salman Rushdie at Chautauqua Institution begins today. Spokeswoman Barbara Burns with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo says 27 year-old Hadi Matar's trial is slated to being on Wednesday... and, the trial is expected to last about a week. Matar was found guilty in county court of attempted murder for rushing the stage at the Chautauqua Amphitheater in August of 2022... and, stabbing Rushdie several times. Matar was finally subdued... but, Rushdie was critically injured... and, lost an eye in the attack. He was sentenced to up to 25 years in jail on the conviction.... but, faces up to life if convicted in the federal trial. He is expected to be represented by County Public Defender Ned Barone... who represented Matar during his state trial.
City man arrested for drug and weapons possession following raid and pursuit last week...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested on drug and weapons possession charges following a raid on a westside home late last week. City police say JPD narcotics detectives... and those with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office... executed a search warrant at 63 W. 14th St. in the city about 2 p.m. last Thursday. Just prior to the raid... the target of the investigation, 24 year-old Dasai Bradberry, was seen leaving the residence in a vehicle. A JPD patrol was able to do a traffic stop on North Main Street... where Bradberry ran off on foot. He jumped a fence into Lakeview Cemetery... and, discarded a large quantity of methampehtamine and fentanyl before being caught. Bradberry was arrested and officers found the drugs... which included just over 104-grams of meth, and nearly 11-grams of fentanyl. Police secured the West 14th Street residence... and there found two 9-mm "ghost guns..." digital scales, packaging materials, cutting agents and a quantity of cash. Bradberry is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon... second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... three counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphenallia... second-degree obstruction... resisting arrest... and, tampering with physical evidence. Bradberry was also wanted on a federal warrant for weapons and narcotics trafficking... and, is now being held in the County Jail.
Molitor announces run for second-term in state Assembly...
Assemblyman Andrew Molitor says he's "very proud and humbled" to represent the people of New York's 150th Assembly District... and, he wants to continue doing that for another two years. The incumbent Republican from Westfield, who was first elected, in 2024, is running for a second term in Albany. Molitor, a former assistant district attorney, says he loves advocating for local residents, especially those who are in law enforcement. He says the state is "not done tampering" with its criminal justice system because majority Democrats still want to make what he calls "dangerous changes" to the current system. Molitor also touted his ability to help prevent "bad legislation" from becoming state law. He adds that work also need to be done in other areas, such as the state's energy policy. Molitor says natural gas would be a "great bridge fuel" to the future, and would greatly benefit the Southern Tier region. He is being challenged by Fredonia Democrat Tom Carle in the November election.
Man from Mayville arrested in Jamestown for speeding, DWI following police pursuit...
A Mayville man has been arrested for allegedly speeding... and, fleeing a police officer... on a motorcycle early Sunday afternoon. City police say a patrol on the southside spotted the two-wheeler traveling at more than 25 mph 30 mph speed limit shortly before 2 p.m. They tried to stop the motorcycle... but, the operator, later identified as 48 year-old Gregg Morrison, refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. After the brief pursuit... Morrison pulled into the driveway of a residence, concealed the motorcycle inside the garage to evade officers. However... he was found at the home... and, arrested without further incident. Police also found that Morrison was riding the motorcycle with a revoked license... and, that the bike had switched license plates. He also failed field sobriety tests... showing that he was intoxicated. Morrison faces charges including: third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle... first-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation... DWI with two previous convictions... and reckless driving. He was jailed pending arraignment.
Sunday morning crash on the State Thruway kills one, injures another...
A fatal crash on the State Thruway north of the Chautauqua County line led to the highway's eastbound lanes being closed for several hours Sunday. State Police Troop T says the accident occured just after 4:30 a.m. in the town of Evans and involved a car and a tractor trailer. Troopers say the driver of the car... 33 year-old Andre Akin of Buffalo... was in the passing lane when the vehicle drifted into the driving lane and collided with the tractor-trailer. Police say both vehicles went onto the south shoulder of the road and struck the guide rail. Akin was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer... an Illinois man... was taken to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for treatment of minor injuries. An accident reconstruction team was brought in to investigate. No charges have been filed.
