Latest news with #AnneDonnelly
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lefty Albany pols pushing series of bills to approve early parole for violent convicts, Nassau DA warns
The Democratic-run New York state legislature could rush through a series of bills to give convicts early parole and prevent law enforcement from keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly warned Sunday. In recent years, Democrats clawed back controversial cashless bail and discovery laws after serial criminals were let loose, triggering massive political blowback. 'These bills undercut everything we work for every day — building strong cases, securing convictions, and ensuring justice is served,' Donnelly, a Republican up for re-election this fall, told The Post. 'When prosecutors do the hard work of putting violent offenders behind bars, we should be backed by laws that protect that progress — not laws that allow those same criminals to return to our communities years before their sentences are complete,' added Donnelly, who is holding a press conference Monday announcing her opposition to the bills. Among the bills drawing concern is the Elder Parole bill — which would require inmates aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 years of their sentence to be considered for early release, regardless of the seriousness of the crime committed. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Maritza Davila (D-Brooklyn). Another bill, the Earned Time Act, would make most violent felons eligible for time allowance credits, potentially slashing their prison sentences in half, Donnelly said. The earned time bill is sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca). A third bill — the Second Look Act — would permit prisoners to petition the courts for a sentence reduction after serving 10 years, including inmates convicted of violent crimes. The legislation is promoted by Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn). GOP Long Island lawmakers oppose the early parole bills, including Assemblyman Edward Ra and Sen. Jack Martins. Crime victims' advocate Madeline Brame, whose Army Sergeant son Hason Correa was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago, expressed outrage at the proposals to give violent cons a break. 'These proposals completely disregard the pain and effort that go into holding criminals accountable,' she said. 'We need to help prosecutors put violent offenders behind bars — not give criminals new waysto get out early.' Gov. Kathy Hochul toyed with early release proposals in April as a way to try to alleviate the prison population amid an illegal prison guard strike and a staffing shortage. She was forced to bring in the National Guard to staff the prisons. She proposed opening eligibility for merit time in the state budget, then backed down after it was revealed doing so could lead to people who were in for violent crimes to be released early. Donnelly was among those who raised the alarm. Inmate advocates have pushed for early parole and other reforms after prisoners were allegedly killed at the hands of guards over the past year.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Nassau DA warns of Albany push to approve early parole for violent convicts
The Democratic-run New York state legislature could rush through a series of bills to give convicts early parole and prevent law enforcement from keeping dangerous criminals off the streets, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly warned Sunday. In recent years, Democrats clawed back controversial cashless bail and discovery laws after serial criminals were let loose, triggering massive political blowback. 'These bills undercut everything we work for every day — building strong cases, securing convictions, and ensuring justice is served,' Donnelly, a Republican up for re-election this fall, told The Post. Advertisement 3 Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. Brigitte Stelzer 'When prosecutors do the hard work of putting violent offenders behind bars, we should be backed by laws that protect that progress — not laws that allow those same criminals to return to our communities years before their sentences are complete,' added Donnelly, who is holding a press conference Monday announcing her opposition to the bills. Among the bills drawing concern is the Elder Parole bill — which would require inmates aged 55 and older who have served at least 15 years of their sentence to be considered for early release, regardless of the seriousness of the crime committed. Advertisement The measure is sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Maritza Davila (D-Brooklyn). Another bill, the Earned Time Act, would make most violent felons eligible for time allowance credits, potentially slashing their prison sentences in half, Donnelly said. The earned time bill is sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles (D-Ithaca). 3 Madeline Brame's son, Hason Correa, was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago. Steven Hirsch Advertisement A third bill — the Second Look Act — would permit prisoners to petition the courts for a sentence reduction after serving 10 years, including inmates convicted of violent crimes. The legislation is promoted by Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Brooklyn). GOP Long Island lawmakers oppose the early parole bills, including Assemblyman Edward Ra and Sen. Jack Martins. 3 The New York State Capitol building. Hans Pennink for the NY Post Advertisement Crime victims' advocate Madeline Brame, whose Army Sergeant son Hason Correa was murdered in a scuffle outside a Harlem apartment building seven years ago, expressed outrage at the proposals to give violent cons a break. 'These proposals completely disregard the pain and effort that go into holding criminals accountable,' she said. 'We need to help prosecutors put violent offenders behind bars — not give criminals new ways to get out early.' Gov. Kathy Hochul toyed with early release proposals in April as a way to try to alleviate the prison population amid an illegal prison guard strike and a staffing shortage. She was forced to bring in the National Guard to staff the prisons. She proposed opening eligibility for merit time in the state budget, then backed down after it was revealed doing so could lead to people who were in for violent crimes to be released early. Donnelly was among those who raised the alarm. Inmate advocates have pushed for early parole and other reforms after prisoners were allegedly killed at the hands of guards over the past year.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nassau DA blasts cashless bail laws that let ‘vicious and depraved' animal abusers walk free — and demands Albany act now
This bark has bite. Long Island officials are continuing their crackdown on animal abusers, slamming Albany for its controversial cashless bail laws and calling for reform so that violent pet owners are kept behind bars. Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly, a Republican, announced Monday she was joining efforts to reform the state's cashless bail so that judges could keep 'the most vicious and depraved animal abusers on the face of the earth' locked up until their trials. 'If people think that someone who would do that to an innocent, voiceless animal — wouldn't turn around and do something similar to people — they don't know anything about the minds of criminals,' Donnelly told The Post outside the Hempstead Animal Shelter. Data show, Donnelly said, that the most hardened killers often start their descent into crime by first abusing and murdering animals. State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, who represents part of Long Island and stood by Donnelly at the press conference Monday,introduced legislation in January that would allow holds on people hit with aggravated animal abuse charges. That state bill currently sits in committee. 'I am delighted that the District Attorney has stepped up and asked me to work with her to advance legislation which would repeal provisions of the 'cashless bail' law, which render judges powerless to detain many individuals who torture, sexually abuse and even kill dogs,' said Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Republican. Donnelly's announcement comes just days after Suffolk County toughened its own animal cruelty laws by tacking on penalties for convicted abusers who are caughthousing another pet. 'Do not abuse animals.' Republican Suffolk County Executive Romaine said at the time — a week after a local cat house of horrors was uncovered. 'We will go after you, and we will prosecute you, and we will protect our animals.'
New York Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Nassau DA blasts cashless bail laws that let ‘vicious and depraved' animal abusers walk free — and demands Albany act now
This bark has bite. Long Island officials are continuing their crackdown on animal abusers, slamming Albany for its controversial cashless bail laws and calling for reform so that violent pet owners are kept behind bars. Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly, a Republican, announced Monday she was joining efforts to reform the state's cashless bail so that judges could keep 'the most vicious and depraved animal abusers on the face of the earth' locked up until their trials. Advertisement 'If people think that someone who would do that to an innocent, voiceless animal — wouldn't turn around and do something similar to people — they don't know anything about the minds of criminals,' Donnelly told The Post outside the Hempstead Animal Shelter. 4 Nassau DA Anne Donnelly is pushing for changes to the state's cashless bails laws that allows judges to detain potential animal abusers. AP Data show, Donnelly said, that the most hardened killers often start their descent into crime by first abusing and murdering animals. Advertisement State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, who represents part of Long Island and stood by Donnelly at the press conference Monday, introduced legislation in January that would allow holds on people hit with aggravated animal abuse charges. 4 One week ago, over 100 dead cats was discovered in a Suffolk County home. Aristide Economopoulos for The NY Post 4 Cats getting rescued from a house in Bohemia. John Roca That state bill currently sits in committee. Advertisement 'I am delighted that the District Attorney has stepped up and asked me to work with her to advance legislation which would repeal provisions of the 'cashless bail' law, which render judges powerless to detain many individuals who torture, sexually abuse and even kill dogs,' said Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, a Republican. 4 In February, more than a dozen abandoned puppies were found packed into a crate and ditched in an alley. Nassau County Police Department Donnelly's announcement comes just days after Suffolk County toughened its own animal cruelty laws by tacking on penalties for convicted abusers who are caught housing another pet. Advertisement 'Do not abuse animals.' Republican Suffolk County Executive Romaine said at the time — a week after a local cat house of horrors was uncovered. 'We will go after you, and we will prosecute you, and we will protect our animals.'
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nassau DA Anne Donnelly heads to Albany to demand changes to ‘pro-criminal' discovery law: ‘Victims continue to suffer'
Nassau County DA Anne Donnelly is kicking off her reelection bid Tuesday by heading to Albany to call for changes to the state's 'pro-criminal' discovery a Republican, told The Post she's running on her record of putting violent criminals behind bars and standing up for law-abiding residents. Democrat Nicole Aloise will look to unseat her in November, another career prosecutor who spent 16 years working in both the Queens and Nassau district attorneys' offices. 'As a prosecutor with over 32 years of experience, and as the District Attorney of one of the largest counties in the state, I've witnessed firsthand how Cashless Bail and Discovery Reform Laws have compromised public safety,' Donnelly, 60, said. She is set to appear at a press conference in the state Capitol alongside state Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt and members of the Senate GOP conference to urge the Democratic-run Legislature and Gov. Kathy Hochul to revise or repeal the controversial bail reform and discovery laws. 'Since the implementation of these laws, we've seen a revolving door of justice, where criminals walk free on technicalities while victims continue to suffer,' Donnelly discovery law — approved in 2019 — moved up deadlines for prosecutors to hand over evidence and the names of witnesses to the defendants' attorneys. The deadlines are unrealistic for prosecutors with large caseloads, Donnelly claims. And minor mistakes — often unrelated to the crime itself — have led to the dismissal of serious cases, allowing criminals to walk free, she said. She supports limiting the amount of information turned over to the defense and shortening the time frame defense attorneys can challenge a prosecutor's discovery certification.'In some cases, we've been forced to hand over victims' sensitive information—like a rape victim's phone number—directly to their attacker,' she added. Hochul herself has called for changes to the discovery law, coming at the urging of the state District Attorneys Association. Donnelly was first elected DA in 2021, in a red wave upset over Democratic state Sen. Todd Kaminsky, who voted for the 2019 bail and discovery laws. She has assisted in the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer case and secured convictions in high-profile cases, including the attempted murder of Nassau County police officers. 'When I ran for District Attorney in 2021, I promised the people of Nassau County that I would always put their safety first—and I have delivered,' Donnelly said. But, she said, 'the fight is far from over.'
