Latest news with #SenateBill440
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lombardo ‘has full confidence' in public safety director amid police retirements, staffing shortage
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo 'has full confidence' in the leadership of the director of the Department of Public Safety amid recent retirements and a staffing shortage at Nevada State Police. As the 8 News Now Investigators first reported, Col. Patrick Conmay retired last week after 50 years of service in law enforcement, a spokesperson confirmed. Lt. Col. Martin Mleczko also retired in recent weeks after more than 20 years of service. George Togliatti, the director, was leading Nevada State Police as his position oversees it among other units. Nevada Highway Patrol rebranded as Nevada State Police in 2021. Some continue to refer to the department by its old name or a combination of the two. 'Governor Lombardo has full confidence in the ongoing leadership of Director Togliatti, who continues to lead the Nevada Department of Public Safety, which includes the Nevada Highway Patrol,' a spokesperson for the governor said Tuesday. Togliatti was serving his second stint as the department's director. In 2004, Republican Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn appointed Togliatti, according to an archived press release. He later became vice president of security, surveillance and safety at Mandalay Bay before Democratic Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak appointed him to the position again in 2019. Both Conmay and Mleczko appeared before committees at the Nevada Legislature in February amid the department's nearly 45% trooper vacancy rate. As of that month, 218 troopers patrolled statewide. The state budget calls for 392 trooper positions, meaning just about half of the workforce is staffed. For the first time since 2017, more people joined the department than separated in 2024, department leadership and Lombardo have said, noting recruitment efforts over the past year have been successful but that recruits tended to favor parole and probation over patrol. The governor told the 8 News Now Investigators in March that raises this session were unlikely amid a tight state budget and likely fewer federal dollars. The raises last session came through Senate Bill 440. The deadline for any new legislation this session has passed. Lombardo did not respond to comments from state Democrats that expected federal government cuts from Republicans and President Donald Trump would impact the governor's budget proposal, including the effect on state employees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Yahoo
Only 1 teen will be charged with MARTA bus driver's murder, DA's office says
The Brief A DeKalb County judge ruled that there is enough evidence to move forward with felony murder and aggravated assault charges against a 16-year-old accused of fatally shooting MARTA bus driver Leroy Ramos on Jan. 3, 2025. Prosecutors dismissed charges against two other teens involved in the argument, determining they did not participate in the shooting. The District Attorney's Office has not yet decided whether the accused shooter will be tried as a juvenile or as an adult under Georgia's SB440 law, which allows certain juveniles to be prosecuted as adults for violent crimes. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A DeKalb County judge ruled Wednesday that the case against a 16-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting a MARTA bus driver earlier this year will proceed. During a preliminary hearing, Magistrate Court Judge Claire Jason determined there was enough evidence to move forward with charges of felony murder and aggravated assault against the teen, whose name has not been released due to his age. What we know According to investigators, the shooting occurred on the evening of Jan. 3, 2025, at the Decatur MARTA station. Authorities said three juveniles—two 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old—were involved in an argument with MARTA bus driver Leroy Ramos, 47. The dispute escalated into a physical altercation after all parties left the bus. During the altercation, one of the 16-year-olds allegedly pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots, striking and killing Ramos. ORIGINAL STORY: MARTA bus driver shot and killed at Decatur Station identified by police After a thorough investigation, the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office determined that the other two teens involved in the argument did not participate in the shooting. As a result, charges against them have been dismissed. What's next Prosecutors have not yet decided whether the alleged shooter will be tried as a juvenile or as an adult in Superior Court. The case is currently assigned to the District Attorney's SB440 Unit, which handles cases involving juvenile suspects who may be tried as adults under Georgia law. Senate Bill 440, enacted in 1994, allows juveniles between the ages of 13 and 17 to be tried as adults for serious offenses, including murder, voluntary manslaughter, and certain violent felonies involving firearms. OTHER RELATED STORIES Third juvenile accused in killing MARTA driver over fare surrenders to police MARTA bus driver quits due to safety concerns after co-worker's murder The investigation is ongoing, and the District Attorney's Office has not announced a timeline for its decision on how the case will proceed.
