Latest news with #MonroeCountyCourt
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Teen pleads guilty in deadly Rochester crash that involved stolen car
A Rochester teenager on Wednesday pleaded guilty in Monroe County Court to his role in a May 2024 crash that involved a stolen car and killed a 14-year-old passenger. Anthony Barnes Jr., now 18, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, the top count of the felony indictment, according to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. The crash, which involved a stolen vehicle, occurred on Bloss Street around 7 p.m. on May 3, 2024. Officers said that the vehicle overturned due Barnes' reckless driving. Witnesses reported the westbound vehicle was speeding and driving erratically on Bloss Street as several people were hanging out of the car's windows. The driver lost control, the car fishtailed, overturned and came to rest in a Bloss Street yard. Six teens were in the car - ranging in age from 11 to 17. Jazzmeir Mouzon-Henton, 14, suffered serious injuries in the crash and died three days after the crash. Barnes is to be sentenced to 5 to 15 years in the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, which is the maximum sentence allowed by New York State Law, according to the DA's Office. Assistant District Attorney Kelly Pettrone, who prosecuted the case, said the plea was important as Barnes was taking responsibility for his "terrible decision." Jazzmeir's death, she was, "was entirely preventable." 'Jazzmeir Mouzon-Henton was a young teenager with his entire life ahead of him,' Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley said in a news release. 'A series of reckless choices made by Anthony Barnes Jr. led to this devastating loss. Because of his actions, Jazzmeir's family was robbed of their loved one, and Anthony Barnes, Jr. will face the consequences of his decisions while incarcerated." Barnes is scheduled to be sentenced by Monroe County Court Judge Julie Hahn on Aug. 14. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Anthony Barnes Jr. pleads guilty in deadly Rochester NY crash
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman charged in deadly head-on crash in Rochester
A Rochester woman accused of driving drunk and causing a fatal crash on Clifford Avenue in April was arraigned Wednesday morning in Monroe County Court. Tashara Willis, 34, was driving west on Clifford Avenue early on April 4, when she drove into the eastbound lane and struck an oncoming car head-on, said Capt. Frank Umbrino of the Rochester Police Department. Otis Johnson, 58, of Rochester died as a result of the two-vehicle crash at Clifford Avenue and Sixth Street. He was alone in his vehicle. Both Johnson and Willis were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Johnson died shortly after he arrived, according to police. Willis was hospitalized for several weeks. Johnson's death marked Rochester's 12th homicide of 2025, Umbrino said. Willis was charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, both felonies, among other driving while intoxicated charges, Umbrino said. Just before the fatal crash, Willis is accused of leaving a bar and speeding in excess of 80 mph alongside another car on Clifford Avenue, Umbrino said. She is accused of driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs, with a revoked driver's license due to two previous felony DWI convictions. On the night of the crash, police also alleged that Willis had more than 20 bags of cocaine in her possession, Umbrino said. Willis surrendered with her lawyer Wednesday morning and was arraigned in Monroe County Court, where the indictment was unsealed. She was granted a non-monetary release due to her extensive medical condition, and is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 5, according to Rochester police. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tashara Willis charged in deadly head-on crash in Rochester NY
