MEC&F Expert Engineers

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Florence downgraded to tropical depression as death toll rises to 15 people



Florence downgraded to tropical depression as death toll rises to 15 people


As the death toll from Florence grew and hundreds of people were pulled from flooded homes, North Carolina braced for catastrophic, widespread river flooding that could be the next stage of a mounting disaster.


Updated 1 min ago
NEW BERN, N.C. -- 


Catastrophic flooding from Florence spread across the Carolinas on Sunday, with roads to Wilmington cut off by the epic deluge and muddy river water swamping entire neighborhoods miles inland. "The risk to life is rising with the angry waters," Gov. Roy Cooper declared as the storm's death toll climbed to 15.

As the storm continued to crawl inland, dumping more than 30 inches of rain in spots since Friday, fears of historic flooding grew and tens of thousands were ordered evacuated from communities along the state's steadily rising rivers - with the Cape Fear, Little River, Lumber, Waccamaw and Pee Dee rivers all projected to burst their banks.

In Wilmington, with roads leading in and out of the coastal city underwater and streams still headed upward, residents waited for hours outside stores and restaurants for basic necessities like water. Police guarded the door of one store, and only 10 people were allowed inside at a time.

Woody White, chairman of the board of commissioners of New Hanover County, said officials were planning for food and water to be flown into the coastal city of nearly 120,000 people.

"Our roads are flooded," he said. "There is no access to Wilmington."

About 70 miles away from the coast, residents near the Lumber River stepped from their homes directly into boats floating in their front yards; river forecasts showed the scene could be repeated in towns as far as 250 miles inland as waters rise for days.

Downgraded to a tropical depression overnight, Florence was still massive. Radar showed parts of the sprawling storm over six states, with North and South Carolina in the bull's-eye.

Thousands were ordered to evacuate from what officials said could be the worst flooding in North Carolina history, but it wasn't clear how many had fled or even could. The head of Federal Emergency Management Agency, Brock Long, said officials were focused on finding people and rescuing them.

"We'll get through this. It'll be ugly, but we'll get through it," Long told NBC's "Meet The Press."

President Donald Trump said federal emergency workers, first responders and law enforcement officials are "working really hard" on Florence. He tweeted that as the storm "begins to finally recede, they will kick into an even higher gear. Very Professional!"

The storm's death toll climbed to 15 when a pickup truck ran off Interstate 20 in South Carolina and struck an overpass support, killing the driver. Earlier, authorities said a man drowned after his pickup truck flipped into a drainage ditch along a flooded South Carolina road and two people died from inhaling carbon monoxide from a generator in their home.

About 740,000 homes and businesses remained without power in the Carolinas, and utilities said some could be out for weeks.

Victor Merlos was overjoyed to find a store open for business in Wilmington since he had about 20 relatives staying at his apartment, which still had power. He spent more than $500 on cereal, eggs, soft drinks and other necessities, plus beer.

"I have everything I need for my whole family," said Merlos. Nearby, a Waffle House restaurant limited breakfast customers to one biscuit and one drink, all take-out, with the price of $2 per item.

Florence was still spinning slowly atop the Carolinas as it pulled warm water from the ocean and hurled it onshore. Kenneth Campbell had donned waterproof waders intending to check out his home in Lumberton, but he didn't bother when he saw the Coast Guard and murky waters in his neighborhood.

"I'm not going to waste my time. I already know," he said.

As rivers swelled toward record levels, state regulators and environmental groups were monitoring the threat from gigantic hog and poultry farms located in low-lying, flood-prone areas.

The industrial-scale farms typically feature vast pits of animal feces and urine that can pose a significant pollution threat if they are breached or inundated by floodwaters. In past hurricanes, flooding at dozens of farms also left hundreds of thousands of dead hogs, chickens and other decomposing livestock bobbing in floodwaters.

Stream gauges across the region showed water levels rising steadily, with forecasts calling for rivers to crest Sunday and Monday at or near record levels: The Little River, the Cape Fear, the Lumber, the Neuse, the Waccamaw and the Pee Dee were all projected to burst their banks, possibly flooding nearby communities.

Evacuations were ordered for thousands of people, and the Defense Department said about 13,500 military personnel had been assigned to help relief efforts.

Authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of up to 7,500 people living within a mile (1.6 kilometers) of a stretch of the Cape Fear River and the Little River, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the North Carolina coast. The evacuation zone included part of the city of Fayetteville, population 200,000.

John Rose owns a furniture business with stores less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the river. Rain-soaked furniture workers helped him quickly empty more than 1,000 mattresses from a warehouse in a low-lying strip mall.

"It's the first time we've ever had to move anything like this," Rose said. "If the river rises to the level they say it's going to, then this warehouse is going to be under water."

Fayetteville's city officials, meanwhile, got help from the Nebraska Task Force One search and rescue team to evacuate 140 residents of an assisted-living facility in Fayetteville to a safer location at a church.

Already, more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of rain had fallen in places, and forecasters were saying there could be an additional 1 feet (45 centimeters) before Sunday was out.

"Flood waters are still raging across parts of our state, and the risk to life is rising with the angry waters," Cooper said. "If you aren't watching for them, you are risking your life."

Officials were warning residents not only to stay off the roads but also to avoid using GPS systems.

"As conditions change, GPS navigation systems are not keeping up with the road closures and are directing people onto roads that are confirmed closed and/or flooded," the state Transportation Department said on Twitter.

Florence weakened to a tropical depression early Sunday and was crawling west at 8 mph (13 kph). At 5 a.m., the storm was centered about 20 miles (35 kilometers) southwest of Columbia, South Carolina. Its winds were down to 35 mph (55 kph).

In Goldsboro, North Carolina, home of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, roads that frequently flood were already closed Saturday by rushing water. Dozens of electric repair trucks massed to respond to damage expected to hit central North Carolina as rainwater collected into rivers headed to the coast.

On Saturday evening, Duke Energy said heavy rains caused a slope to collapse at a coal ash landfill at a closed power station outside Wilmington. Duke spokeswoman Paige Sheehan said about 2,000 cubic yards (1,530 cubic meters) of ash were displaced at the Sutton Plant and that contaminated storm water likely flowed into the plant's cooling pond.

Near the flooded-out town of New Bern, where about 455 people had to be rescued from the swirling flood waters, water completely surrounded churches, businesses and homes. In the neighboring town of Trenton, downtown streets were turned to creeks full of brown water.

Still, spirits were high at the Trent Park Elementary School in New Bern, where 44-year-old Cathy Yolanda Wright took shelter after being rescued from her flooded home Saturday. Wright, who sings in the choir at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist, led residents at the shelter in an energetic singalong.

People clapped and shouted, "Amen!" and "Thank you, Lord."

15 storm-related deaths have been confirmed. Florence, now a tropical depression, is still a dangerous storm and is dumping excessive rainfall on wide areas of North Carolina and South Carolina, causing historic flooding.




Florence flooding live coverage: Storm 'has never been more dangerous than it is right now'


WTVD-AP

Florence, now a tropical depression, is still a dangerous storm and is dumping excessive rainfall on wide areas of North Carolina and South Carolina, causing historic flooding.

THE LATEST

Florence flooding: The latest on Tropical Depression Florence with Big Weather
In total, 15 storm-related deaths have been confirmed. Ten were in North Carolina and five were in South Carolina.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is visiting the Friday Center in Chapel Hill, which is functioning as a shelter, on Sunday afternoon.

Officials also say the storm could kick up a few tornadoes on its trek across the region.

The storm has reached the height of danger, Governor Roy Cooper said in a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

"The storm has never been more dangerous than it is right now," he said.

TRACKING FLORENCE

Florence was downgraded to a tropical depression on Sunday.

Here's the latest radar showing where the storm is now.


On Friday, after blowing ashore with 90 mph winds, Florence practically parked itself over land all day long and poured on the rain. With rivers rising toward record levels, thousands of people were ordered evacuated as the storm began to bring in historic flooding.

PHOTOS: Hurricane Florence, now a tropical depression, dumps days of rain on North Carolina








Authorities evacuate a family from rising waters caused by Florence, now a tropical storm, on Saturday in New Bern. (Allen G. Breed) 


FLOODING

The flooding after Hurricane Florence has reached historic levels in more than one part of the state. Morehead City broke the official record for most rainfall ever recorded in the state from a tropical system when 25.77 inches were recorded there. Wilmington, meanwhile, has already surpassed its annual rainfall total with three months to go.

Rivers have also reached historic levels. The Cape Fear River is expected to crest above levels brought by Hurricane Matthew.

Authorities advise not to go into the floodwaters as they could pose dangers, such as snakes, and health risks, such as sewage water.


RESCUE EFFORTS

A massive rescue effort is still underway. Crews said the conditions may only get worse as rain continues to fall.









The National Guard shared these photos of rescues, including near Beulaville, NC, on their Facebook page. (National Guard/Facebook)

First responders from local, state and federal agencies are helping those stranded by high water, and many more are standing by to be deployed.

ABC11's Julie Wilson accompanied one team of volunteers and helped save a dog. Other cats and dogs were among the rescued.

HELPUL INFORMATION: EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT FLORENCE

Emergency information

911 or 211: Which should you call?

Stay up-to-date on power outages.

See the list of 120 shelters for Florence evacuees.

See the latest road closures around the state.

Around the Triangle

Several local school districts and universities are closed Monday and Tuesday. See the list.

Here's what you need to know about trash pick-ups, curfews, bus schedules and more.

For victims

Find out how to get emergency federal assistance.

Here's how to get mental health support after the storm.

How to help

Find out how you can help the victims.


See how Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is helping Florence evacuees.

The Cary VFW has been designated as a relief distribution point.

Finally, find full coverage of the storm here.

EXPLOSIVE BOMBSHELL: MASSIVE PASSAIC COUNTY AND JUDICIAL CONSPIRACY UNCOVERED: PROOFS OF MASSIVE MATERIAL PERJURY BY RONALD A. LUCAS AND VICTOR D’AGOSTINO. THIS PERJURY WAS KNOWN TO THE PASSAIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR PRIOR TO THE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.



EXPLOSIVE BOMBSHELL: MASSIVE PASSAIC COUNTY AND JUDICIAL CONSPIRACY UNCOVERED: PROOFS OF MASSIVE MATERIAL PERJURY BY RONALD A. LUCAS AND VICTOR D’AGOSTINO.  THIS PERJURY WAS KNOWN TO THE PASSAIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR PRIOR TO THE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.

MOTION (32) – UNDER THE DOCTRINE OF CUMULATIVE ERRORS, A NEW GRAND JURY SHOULD BE CONVENED PURSUANT TO STATE V. ORECCHIO, 16 N.J. 125, 129 (1954)
Taken cumulatively, the legal errors and false testimonies in this case are of such a magnitude that they undeniably prejudiced the defendant’s rights and, in their aggregate, rendered the grand jury proceedings totally unfair.  Fundamental fairness and constitutional concepts dictate a dismissal.  See State v. Orrechio, 16 N.J. 125 (1954).
The New Jersey Supreme Court first discussed the concept of cumulative errors in the context of a criminal trial in State v. Orecchio, 16 N.J. 125, 129 (1954).  When legal errors cumulatively render a grand jury proceeding or trial unfair, the Constitution requires a new trial. "[W]here any one of several errors assigned would not in itself be sufficient to warrant a reversal, yet if all of them taken together justify the conclusion that defendant was not accorded a fair trial, it becomes the duty of this court to reverse." Id. at 134 (citations omitted).
The testimonies’ cumulative effect was “clearly capable of producing an unjust result,” R. 2:10-2, requiring a reversal of defendant’s convictions. See State v. Weaver, 219 N.J. 131, 155 (2014) (explaining a court should reverse a conviction “[w]hen legal errors cumulatively render a trial unfair” (citing State v. Orecchio, 16 N.J. 125, 129 (1954))). 
It is respectfully submitted that there are numerous serious legal issues raised regarding the unfair grand jury presentation in the Stephanatos matter. 
·         In part, material false testimony presented to the grand jury by Lucas and D’Agostino when in fact they were never assaulted by Dr. Stephanatos (and Dr. Stephanatos has already provided irrefutable proof of the perjury committed by Lucas who signed a document stating that it was Nick Mango and not himself at the front door – See Defense Exhibit D-1, Supplemental Motions to Dismiss, March 2018);
·         Numerous contradictory investigatory reports were not presented to the grand jurors or were outright hidden from the grand jurors by the prosecutor;
·         In paragraph 2 of section 4 of the Warrant Affidavit, Lucas “relates” to Detective Scala “that upon knocking on the front entrance door of the residence”.  See excerpt from the warrant affidavit, Defense Exhibit D-11.  This statement to Detective Scala fully corroborates Dr. Stephanatos’ statements that his front door was closed – very closed – with a lock and deadbolt closed.
·         However, in his June 28, 2011 report prepared by Cpl. Lucas, he writes the following: “As we proceeded toward the front door I ascented[sic] the steps and noticed the front wood door was open and a glass storm door made the interior of the house visible to me”.  “At that moment a man came from the hallway with a long object in his left hand”.
·         So, based on these diametrically different statements by Lucas, the prosecutor knew or should have known that Lucas lied.  At the point at which the prosecutor learned of the perjury before and during the grand jury, the prosecutor was under a duty to notify the court and the grand jury, to correct the cancer of justice that had become apparent to him.  But he did not.  This is clear, unequivocal prosecutorial misconduct for intentionally misleading the grand jury.
·         Furthermore, in his grand jury testimony, Officer Lucas identified the “Ruger M77 Mark II, 270 caliber Winchester single bullet hunting rifle” as being the weapon that the defendant pointed at him. (GJT27-8 to 13; Da15, Motion to Change Venue).  It is critical to note that the hunting rifle is a BROWN COLORED GUN.  However, in section 2 of paragraph 4 of the Warrant Affidavit, Lucas “relates” to Detective Scala that he saw a “BLACK COLORED RIFLE”.  So, again the prosecutor knew or should have known that Lucas lied before the grand jury when he selected a different color gun than the one he related to Detective Scala.
·         “fake facts” (the pointing of a gun out a window) cooked up by the prosecutor that were highly prejudicial to the Defendant;
·         Not mentioning that this was a residential property in a wooded area of Wayne Township where less than 5 people and less than 5 dwellings were located nearby;
·         not presenting to the Grand Jurors the record of the phone and emails of Dr. Stephanatos PROVING BEYOND ANY DOUBT OF HIS WHEREABOUTS (and refuting the state’s allegations that he was pointing guns at people and that he was barricaded);
·         the impermissible mentioning of bombs and IEDs and ammunition boxes during the grand jury proceeding when in fact the prosecutor and his witnesses knew that these were false statements and no bombs or IED or ammunition boxes were ever found or ever existed;
·         not mentioning that State Statutes Prohibit the Entering into Residential Properties unless the entry and detention is made pursuant to legal process as set out in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-53 et seq.;  the purpose of following such clearly established process for residential properties is to avoid the breach of public peace;
·         not mentioning that no warrant for removal signed by a Law Division judge was obtained by the sheriff employees prior to attempting to remove Dr. Stephanatos from his residence;
·         not mentioning to the Grand Jurors that Victor A. D’Agostino’s duties were not that of a sworn law enforcement officer;
·         failing to provide proofs that the Defendant knew that the sheriff employees were in fact sworn law enforcement officers, as this was a civil matter and the statutes under which the Defendant was charged pertain to police officers while they perform criminal law enforcement duties.;
·         the intentional lying by Lucas that he injured his shoulder requiring 5 pins, when he in fact injured his shoulder and elbow after playing competitive football for many years and lifting heavy weights and doing body building;
·         Lt. Nick Mango wrote in his June 28, 2011 report that “nobody was hurt”.  Also, Lucas never wrote in his June 28, 2018 report that he was injured.  He specifically wrote :  “As I entered the woods I stumbled”.  He never wrote that he was injured.  However, during this grand jury testimony, he provided a diametrically different picture:
·         Lucas claimed that he fell on his elbow and shoulder, but was able to regain his balance, and he ran into a wooded area to seek cover behind a large boulder. (GJT11-18 to 21; Da7, Motion to Change Venue).  Lucas claimed that he tore his biceps and had surgery on his shoulder, and “ended up having a pretty severe injury” in his shoulder, requiring “five pins.” (GJT12-7 to 9; Da8, Motion to Change Venue).  Of course we now know that this guy was a football player and body builder and suffered these injuries over his many years of lifting heavy weights and hitting his opponents with his shoulder (he was a linebacker with the Pompton Lakes Cardinals at #41).  This guy then defrauded the Police and Firemen Retirement Fund by claiming disability and started the double dipping.
·         So, from flip-flopping regarding the color of the gun; to whether the door was closed or open; to whether he knocked the door or not; to whether he suffered a major injury or not, Lying Lucas has some serious credibility issues; and all his lies were allowed to poison the grand jury deliberations.
·         the false (and highly prejudicial) allegations that Dr. Stephanatos had threatened Robert Del Vecchio, Esq. with violence few days prior to the “eviction”;
·         the false (and highly prejudicial) allegation that Dr. Stephanatos did not want to pay taxes;
·         not presenting evidence that Dr. Stephanatos only wanted a simple stay of the proceedings (as is allowed by state law) so that he can file and adjudicate his appeals and to save his home and home-based business from an illegal eviction;
·         failing to mention that at no time did the sheriff employees told Dr. Stephanatos that he was under arrest;
·         not presenting evidence of the illegal background leading up to the charges perpetrated by the conspirators Robert Del Vecchio, ATF, and others;
·         not mentioning the fact that this was a civil matter based upon profit for the same;
·         not mentioning that Dr. Stephanatos fully owned his real estate property and was used as his home and small business and that his business (Metropolitan Environmental Services) was not part of any eviction proceedings;
·         not mentioning that state case law allowed Dr. Stephanatos not to lose his home;
·         not mentioning that no state or federal court has the authority to take private homestead property and deliver it to a private entity as it is in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the Federal Constitution and Article I, par. 20 of the state constitution;
·         not mentioning that Dr. Stephanatos’ property was over-assessed by more than 40 percent since 1995 and no taxes were legally due;
·         the failure to properly charge the grand jurors on several asserted defenses, including the defense of self and defense of dwelling, the Castle Doctrine, the defense of business, duress, outrageous government conduct, honestly-held belief, etc.;
·         the intentional failure to inform or notify the grand jurors that Dr. Stephanatos wanted to testify (based on the letter sent to the prosecutor by Mr. Herman, Esq. prior to the grand jury deliberations); thus the prosecutor interfered with the independence of the Grand Jury;
·         and no explanation was given to the grand jury of the specific violations of the law(s) and Court Rules (Sherman Act violation, tax sale law violations, fraud-on-the court, failure to provide notice, failure to adjudicate the issue of possession, obtaining ex-parte writs of possession, etc.) by the conspirators and what is required to be done if there was to be legality and legitimate process, which brought Officers Lucas and D’Agostino to the defendant’s home on the day in question.
·         Add to this the constitutional violations (subject to the motion to suppress); the doctrine of “false in one, false in all” not explained to the grand jury; the fact that the grand jury was not charged as to the rights of protection by the homeowner where it involves his property (the defense of home or New Jersey’s Castle Doctrine), the protection of his business, as well as the unlawful entry by the officers on defendant’s property as they were relying on void judgments and writs due to the fraud on the court committed by Robert Del Vecchio, ATF and others.  The law of duress and self-defense and outrageous government conduct should have been charged to the grand jury by the prosecutor. 
Instead of a fair presentation, there was a biased presentation in actuality depicting the defendant as a “monster”.  The perjured testimonies’ and “fake facts” cumulative effect was “clearly capable of producing an unjust result,” R. 2:10-2, requiring a reversal of defendant’s indictment.  State v. Orecchio, 16 N.J. 125, 129 (1954). 
The Law on Perjury Before a Grand Jury
The grand jury both “acts as a sword so that those who are suspected of wrongdoing may be properly brought to trial, and as a shield to protect the people from arbitrary prosecution.”  State v. Smith, 269 N.J.Super. 86, 93, 634 A.2d 576 (App. Div. 1993).  In State v. Murphy, 110 N.J. 20, 538 A.2d 1235 (1988) the New Jersey Supreme Court held that it is the court’s obligation to exercise its supervisory authority over the grand jury process to ensure that the selection of the grand jurors and the presentation are fair and unbiased.
“Unless the prosecutor’s misconduct is ‘extreme and clearly infringes upon the [grand] jury’s decision-making function’ an otherwise valid indictment should not be dismissed.”  Id. citing State v. Buonadonna, 122 N.J. 22, 48-49, 583 A.2d 747 (1991).  The dismissal of an indictment is appropriate “if it is established that the violation substantially influenced the grand jury’s decision to indict” or if there is ‘grave doubt’ that the determination ultimately reached was arrived at fairly and impartially.  Bank of Nova Scotia v. United States, 487 U.S. 250, 256 quoting United States v. Mechanik, 475 U.S. 66, 78 (1986).  “The grand jury cannot be denied access to evidence that is credible, material and so clearly exculpatory as to induce a rational grand juror to conclude that the State has not made out a prima facie case against the accused.”  State v. Hogan, 144 N.J. 216, 236, 676 A.2d 533 (1996).



PROOFS OF MASSIVE MATERIAL PERJURY BY RONALD A. LUCAS AND VICTOR D’AGOSTINO.  THIS PERJURY WAS KNOWN TO THE PASSAIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR PRIOR TO THE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS.
In paragraph 2 of section 4 of the Warrant Affidavit, Lucas “relates” to Detective Scala “that upon knocking on the front entrance door of the residence”.  See excerpt from the warrant affidavit, Defense Exhibit D-11.  This statement to Detective Scala fully corroborates Dr. Stephanatos’ statements that his front door was closed – very closed – with a lock and deadbolt closed.
However, in his June 28, 2011 report prepared by Cpl. Lucas, he writes the following: “As we proceeded toward the front door I ascented[sic] the steps and noticed the front wood door was open and a glass storm door made the interior of the house visible to me”.  “At that moment a man came from the hallway with a long object in his left hand”.
The statement by Lucas to Detective Scala is diametrically different than the statements given by Lucas and D’Agostino at the grand jury proceedings and also wrote in their reports: that they did not knock the door and they were assaulted as they were coming up the front porch steps and they were able to see everything so nicely and so clearly because the front door was magically open (that stupid Dr. Stephanatos, he should have left his door closed! (sarcasm here)). 
So, based on these diametrically different statements by Lucas, the prosecutor knew or should have known that Lucas lied.  At the point at which the prosecutor learned of the perjury before and during the grand jury, the prosecutor was under a duty to notify the court and the grand jury, to correct the cancer of justice that had become apparent to him.  But he did not.  Welcome to Passaic County!
Furthermore, in his grand jury testimony, Officer Lucas identified the “Ruger M77 Mark II, 270 caliber Winchester single bullet hunting rifle” as being the weapon that the defendant pointed at him. (GJT27-8 to 13; Da15, Motion to Change Venue).  It is critical to note that the hunting rifle is a BROWN COLORED GUN.  However, in section 2 of paragraph 4 of the Warrant Affidavit, Lucas “relates” to Detective Scala that he saw a “BLACK COLORED RIFLE”.  Therefore, the affidavit paragraph 4, section 2 included a material false statement that was included with reckless disregard for the truth.  So, again the prosecutor knew or should have known that Lucas lied before the grand jury when he selected a different color gun than the one he related to Detective Scala.
I respectfully submit to this Court that the statements made by Lucas in the early moments of the June 28, 2011 events are closer to the truth (but not quite the truth), than his fabrications that are start pouring in later in the day and afterwards.  For example, Lt. Nick Mango wrote in his report that “nobody was hurt”.  Also, Lucas never wrote in his report that he was injured.  He specifically wrote :  “As I entered the woods I stumbled”. However, during this grand jury testimony, he provided a diametrically different picture:
Lucas claimed that he fell on his elbow and shoulder, but was able to regain his balance, and he ran into a wooded area to seek cover behind a large boulder. (GJT11-18 to 21; Da7, Motion to Change Venue).  Lucas claimed that he tore his biceps and had surgery on his shoulder, and “ended up having a pretty severe injury” in his shoulder, requiring “five pins.” (GJT12-7 to 9; Da8, Motion to Change Venue).  Of course we now know that this guy was a football player and body builder and suffered these injuries over his many years of lifting heavy weights and hitting his opponents with his shoulder (he was a linebacker with the Pompton Lakes Cardinals).  This guy then went on to defraud the New Jersey Police and Firemen Insurance Fund by claiming disability and retiring from the sheriff’s department.  After that, he started the double dipping.

THE LIES, FABRICATIONS AND INTENTIONAL OMISSIONS OF WALTER DEWEY

After the two sheriff employees served a bunch of lies to the grand jurors and the prosecutor, after learning of the perjury failed to correct it, he decided to add some more fake facts of his own creation; basically, adding salt to the injury (the vultures were keep piling on the body of still-alive Dr. Stephanatos).  The prosecutor, Walter Dewey, also mislead the jurors and fabricated “facts” by eliciting false testimony from Officer D’Agostino regarding the pointing of a gun out of a “window”.  The officers had indicated that they saw me standing behind a glass storm door and that I never opened the door.  No “window” was ever mentioned by the two individuals, as no window exists in the front porch of the dwelling.  See attached image of the front door of the dwelling, showing that no window is present.

(I denied that I was standing behind the storm door:  I have stated many times that I was in my office doing my business, I have the computer records to prove it, those records were submitted to the prosecutors, and I kept the doors of the home locked with a deadbolt). 
But the prosecutor asked D’Agostino if I was pointing a gun “out the window”.  Then D’Agostino said “yes”.  See Grand Jury Transcripts, Motion to Change Venue. 
This Court should note that there is no opening window in the front porch- that was another misleading and prejudicial question by the corrupt Passaic County prosecutor.  The prosecutors obviously wanted to mislead and lie to the grand jury by stating that the defendant was pointing a weapon outside a window, something that the two sheriff employees never wrote in their reports, as no window was involved.  In fact, Lucas never testified or wrote that the defendant was pointing a weapon outside a window.  The corrupt prosecutor Walter Dewey elicited this statement from D’Agostino only.  Certainly this is a highly prejudicial, fraudulent and misleading question/statement, necessitating a dismissal of the indictment.
So, from flip-flopping regarding the color of the gun; to whether the door was closed or open; to whether he knocked the door or not; to whether he suffered a major injury or not, Lying Lucas has some serious credibility issues.  And Walter Dewey added salt to the injury by cooking up highly prejudicial fake “facts” of his own creation (the pointing of a gun out a window).  This Court cannot possibly uphold an indictment based on these material fact perjuries and based on all the false and highly prejudicial evidence presented at the grand jury.  This is not how things are done.  They need to go back and try to obtain a superseding indictment (using the truth please), after this Court dismisses this patently flawed one.

DEFENDANT SPECIFICALLY REQUESTS AN EVIDENTIARY HEARING PURSUANT TO NJ COURT RULE 3:5-7 (C) HEARING AND THE RECENT SUPREME COURT CASE STATE V. ATWOOD, A-42, SEPTEMBER TERM 2016 (2018).
Because Defendant has provided many proofs in his various submissions to this Court, directly refuting the fake facts cooked up by the prosecutor and his witnesses, Defendant specifically requests an evidentiary hearing pursuant to NJ Court Rule 3:5-7 (c) Hearing.  If material facts are disputed, testimony thereon shall be taken in open court.  The evidentiary hearing is also requested pursuant to the recent Supreme Court case State v. Atwood, A-42, September Term 2016 (2018).
See WAYNE R. LAFAVE ET AL., CRIMINAL PROCEDURE § 14.3(a), at 321–22 (3d ed. 2007) (defendant arguably should not be bound over for trial if evidence would not permit jury to convict).
I am forwarding a copy of the material directly to the Passaic County prosecutor, Stephen Bollenbach, as reflected by the enclosed certification of service.

I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements made by me are true and correct.  I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment. NJ Court Rule R. 1:4-4(b); 28 U.S.C. §1746.

Respectfully Submitted,



___________________________________
Josheph Epstein, Esq.

Encl.
cc:          Steven Bollenbach, Passaic Co.

THE DEADLY ROADS: Three people died and one person was seriously injured in four separate vehicle-involved crashes on Long Island




3 Dead, 1 Injured in Four Separate Car-Involved Crashes on Long Island: Police


September 15, 2018


Three people died and one person was seriously injured in four separate vehicle-involved crashes on Long Island

A 22-year-old cyclist was injured, and a 52-year-old woman, a 68-year-old man and a 37-year-old man were killed in the incidents

Charges haven't been filed against any of the drivers involved in the incidents, according to police

Three people died and one person was seriously injured in four separate vehicle-involved crashes on Long Island late Friday night and early Saturday morning, officials said.

Cyclist Nicholas McMahan, 22, was seriously injured when he collided with a 2018 Toyota 4-Runner driven by a 47-year-old woman at the intersection of Moriches Road and 5th Street in St. James around 6:43 p.m. on Friday, Suffolk County police said. The woman and her female passenger weren’t injured, according to police.

A few hours later, around 9:15 p.m., 52-year-old Laura Couleas, of Medford, was driving a 1995 Honda east on Horseblock Road, on the Long Island Avenue overpass in Medford, when she crossed into the westbound lane and struck a 2011 Mitsubishi Suburban driven by a 20-year-old woman from North Carolina, police said.




Laura Allen Couleas, of Medford, dead

Medical Records Clerk II in Depts of Ob/Gyn and Reproductive Endocrinology. Also in TheMain Medical Records of The Hospital at Stony Brook University Medical Center
Lives in Medford, New York


Couleas was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The 20-year-old driver was treated for minor injuries at the same hospital, according to police.

Around 10:50 p.m., a 31-year-old woman from California was backing up a Penske Box Truck on Heather Court in Dix Hills when a male driving a 2017 Honda hit the truck’s trailer, police said. An object on the trailer hit the woman’s 68-year-old father, Jose Marroquin, who’d been outside the truck directing the woman as she backed up, according to police.

Marroquin, who also lived in California, was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Honda driver stayed at the scene.

And on Saturday around 12:06 a.m., a 26-year-old man was driving a 2009 Jeep when he hit Franklin Campos Rodriguez, 37, of Uniondale, as he walked in front of 16 Newbridge Rd. in Hicksville, police said.

Campos-Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, and an investigation is ongoing.

Mary Taulbee, 57, mother of five, was killed by a reckless Moraine police officer chasing at 80 mph a stolen Jeep, after her car crashed and spun into the path of the oncoming police cruiser that was chasing a stolen Jeep





HIGH SPEED POLICE CHASES FOR STOLEN PROPERTY MUST STOP.  LIFE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN PROPERTY



MORAINE, OHIO

Mary Taulbee killed after a stolen car crashed into hers on North Springboro Pike and Carnation Drive

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the driver of a stolen car fled a traffic stop along North Springboro Pike and Carnation Drive. That driver crossed lanes and hit another vehicle, causing it to spin out. A Moraine police cruiser then crashed into the tail end of the vehicle.

Taulbee was in the car that was struck by the suspect. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.

The Moraine office in the cruiser was not injured in the Tuesday, September 12 Moraine crash

The Moraine officer was not injured during the incident. Police have taken the suspect into custody.


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A longtime Ohio real estate agent and mother of five was killed Tuesday after her car crashed and spun into the path of an oncoming police cruiser that was chasing a stolen Jeep, officials said.

Mary Taulbee, 57, was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead following the back-to-back crashes near the intersection of Ohio 741 and Carnation Drive, Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

The series of events on Tuesday night began when Moraine police received a call about a stolen Jeep in Harrison Township, near Dayton, Sgt. John Spencer told the Cincinnati Enquirer. Police attempted to pull over the driver of the Jeep traveling south on Ohio 741 when it began speeding away.

A police chase ensued that led them near the intersection where Taulbee’s car had just crashed into a Chrysler 300. Taulbee’s car spun into the other lane upon impact.

A police cruiser then slammed into Taulbee’s car. She died from injuries caused by the crash.

"Mary would not be dead if the police car were not traveling at 80 miles per hour," said Steven Brown, president of Irongate Realtors, where Taulbee worked for 22 years.

The driver of the Jeep, Alyssa Irwin-Debraux, 18, was arrested after she crashed into another vehicle about a mile and half away, officials said.

Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crashes to determine what caused the sequence of events. It’s unclear how Taulbee collided with the Chrysler 300, an event which was unrelated to the police chase.

Brown said Taulbee was going to meet with a client the night she died.

"You can replace a car. You can't replace Mary's life,” Brown said. “She was very highly respected, not only in our company but in our industry. For her, every deal was personal."

Along with her five children, Taulbee is survived by her husband of 28 years and six grandchildren.