BREAKING NEWS: Alan Jones will hear his fate another day. Judge Walter Hafner this morning agreed to adjourn Jones’ sentencing until later this month.
It’s sad because one person is dead and another person’s going to spend the vast majority of their life in prison, a member of Justice for Erin pointed out.
BREAKING NEWS: Not long after sending a note to Judge Walter Hafner saying they were deadlocked, the jury in the Alan Jones murder trial sent a second note to the judge.
The jury in the Alan Jones murder case deliberated for four hours Wednesday afternoon without reaching a verdict. They will resume deliberations Thursday morning reviewing evidence and several testimonies as well.
UPDATE: Jury deliberations are under way. A forensic pathologist from New Jersey debunked the former Onondaga County medical examiner’s testimony that Erin Maxwell was strangled. This is a hanging, he said. Closing arguments are set for Wednesday.
An engineering professor said today (Sept. 21) Erin Maxwell could have hanged herself from the screw in her bedroom window frame.
Dr. Mary Jumbelic, the ME who performed the autopsy on Erin in August 2008, testified in court today that the cause of death was strangulation, not accidental hanging as Erin’s stepbrother claims.
Two experts from the New York State Police forensics center in Albany testified today (Sept. 16) about the green rope in the Alan Jones murder case. State police forensic expert Stacy Rack testified that she discovered “three small, reddish brown spots” on the rope that killed Erin Maxwell. No DNA from Jones was found, however.
Out of the presence of the jury, Judge Walter Hafner and DA Donald Dodd debate legal issues relating to Alan Jones’ murder charge. Jones is accused of killing his 11-year-old stepsister last summer.
Two members of the State Police testified today (Sept. 14) regarding their interaction with Alan Jones last August. They explained what Jones told them regarding his stepsister’s death. However, when they gave opinions in their answers, the defense objected. The jury can’t hear opinions regarding Jones’ demeanor because it is not part of the theory of the crime, the judge explained.
The Fulton District Wide Storytelling Festival was held and storytellers from throughout the district showcased their talents in telling a wide variety of stories. Participants told a folktale, fairytale, myth, legend, tall tale or fable. The stories ranged from spooky legends to hilarious tales and many had a useful moral attached that provided a bit [...]
Parents: Get your social life back on track! Go out “guilt-free” and have fun knowing that your children are not just waiting for you by the TV — but are having fun too!
Community News
The following students are on the Dean’s List for their outstanding academic achievement for the Fall 2009 semester from the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering at Binghamton University, State University of New York.
The criteria for the Dean’s Honors list is a minimum grade point average of 3.5.
Christopher Marnell Mohr — Pennellville
Joseph T. Troia — [...]
Your Milestones
Happy New Year to all of our readers in the tri-county region!
While our Richland facility is closed until April, the society is still active with Friday afternoon hours at the Barclay Court House in Pulaski (2nd floor over DMV, 2pm until 5) or by appointment. We got off to a rocky start following our [...]