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Chagall Stolen From NYC Apartment Is Recovered After 30 Years

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A Chagall painting stolen from a Manhattan couple's home nearly 30 years ago is finally being returned to the family, the FBI says. 

The 1911 Marc Chagall painting, "Othello and Desdemona," was recovered last year in Maryland, where a man twice tried to sell it to a Washington, D.C. gallery owner. The suspicious gallery owner said he couldn't sell the piece without proof of ownership, and told the man to contact law enforcement -- and he did.

It turned out the man had kept the painting in his attic for years, after he'd gotten it from the thief who swiped the artwork in 1988. Investigators believe the man who stole the painting — along with over a dozen other pieces of art and jewelry — from Ernest and Rose Heller's apartment on the Upper East Side was a building worker who had access to the home's security system, authorities said. 

The Maryland man intended to sell the stolen Chagall to a potential buyer, but the deal collapsed when he learned he wasn't going to receive a cut of the proceeds, according to the FBI. So he stashed it in his attic for years, trying to sell it once in 2011 and again in 2017. 

"Well documented and known art is very hard to move once it has been stolen," said Supervisory Special Agent Tim Carpenter of the FBI's Art Crime Team. 

The oil painting on canvas created in the early stages of Chagall's career depicts a male, Othello, in the left foreground holding a sword in his hand and looking at a female figure, Desdemona, lying on a bed in the right background.

The Hellers, who bought the painting in the 1920s, have both died, and the painting will now be returned to the family's estate, which plans to place it on auction and return the proceeds to the insurance company that paid the theft claim years ago, and to several non-profit organizations supported by the estate. 

"This piece of artwork is of significance not just for its monetary value, but for its place in the world of art and culture. The FBI continues to commit investigative resources to recover cultural property," said Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara.

The statute of limitations for the theft has expired, so neither the thief who took the painting and the Maryland man who kept it for decades faces charges. The thief, though, was previously convicted and sentenced on charges related to selling stolen property, including art from other apartment buildings. 



Photo Credit: FBI

Mechanic Injured at Midas in West Hartford

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A mechanic at Midas Auto in West Hartford was injured by a car on Thursday afternoon and police said the car either fell on or struck the victim. 

Police and firefighters responded to Midas Auto, at 918 New Britain Ave., at 12:30 p.m. Thursday after receiving reports that a mechanic had suffered an injury and was on the floor. 

Then, emergency responders learned that a vehicle had struck or fallen onto the mechanic, police said. 

The victim who had injuries to his back and was transported to Hartford Hospital. The victim was conscious and speaking when transported. 

Police and OSHA are investigating to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

LifeStar Responding to Head-On Crash on Route 6 in Coventry

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Route 6 is closed in Coventry due to a head-on crash involving a car and a tractor-trailer, according to Tolland County Emergency Communications.

The dispatch center tweeted that multiple departments were responding to the crash on Route 6 near South Street. At least one person is trapped and will require extrication, according to the tweets.

LifeStar dispatchers confirmed they were headed to the scene.

No other details were immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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I-91 Ramps Closed Through Friday Morning Due to Fuel Cleanup

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The exit 49 on- and-off-ramps to Interstate 91 South in Enfield remain closed after a tanker truck flipped over on Monday and it will remain closed through the commutes Thursday night and Friday morning as the cleanup continues, according to state police.

The truck flipped over near Exit 49, causing 2,600 gallons of gasoline to spill, and officials from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said 1,500 tons of soil have been excavated.

Since 2003, there have been 57 crashes between the exit 49 ramps and where they intersect with Route 5, according to the UCONN Crash Data Repository. Seventeen of those crashes were in the last three years.





Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Cohen Raid Upends Talks for Trump to Meet With Mueller Team

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Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office and President Donald Trump’s legal team are now proceeding with strategies that presume a presidential interview will likely not take place as part of the Russia investigation, after months of talks between the two sides collapsed earlier this week, according to multiple people familiar with the matter, NBC News reported

On Monday, Trump’s lawyers were discussing a possible interview with Mueller's team and had begun to hash out the final sticking points, including the timing, scope and length, according to people familiar with the discussions.

One person familiar with the strategy said the president’s lawyers had over the weekend sought to expand his legal team to include individuals who would prepare him for an interview. Another person familiar with the matter, however, said preparations had not yet gone that far.

But the prospects for a presidential interview dramatically dimmed once the FBI raided the home, office and hotel room of Trump’s long-time personal lawyer, Michael Cohen on Monday, these people said.



Photo Credit: AP, File

Bill Aims to Make Drug Prices More Transparent

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A new poll found that many Connecticut residents are concerned about rising drug prices, and state lawmakers are now trying to pass a bill to hold drug companies accountable.

Berlin resident Greta Stifel was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2015.

“Having a chronic illness requires extensive work to find the right treatment and medical team,” she said. “The last thing I need is to figure out how to afford my medications.”

She said her medications cost $22,000 a month.

“I can’t go without them and if I do, I will die faster,” she said.

The Altarum's Healthcare Value Hub and Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut conducted a poll of more than 900 Connecticut residents.

“The poll shows that Connecticut residents are definitely worried about affording their prescription drugs,” said Frances Padilla, President, Universal Health Care Foundation.

State lawmakers are now proposing a new bill that would require drug companies to be more transparent about prices and rebates. The bill has passed through the Insurance and Real Estate Committee.

“Whether you’re insured or uninsured,” said state Comptroller, Kevin Lembo. “This bill impacts you because whether you have small co-pay or you’re on the hook, someone’s paying. The plan is paying, the state is paying, and we’re all paying.”



Photo Credit: NBC 5 News

Job Cuts Could Come to West Haven Schools

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The superintendent of West Haven Schools says the district is considering cutting staff in response to the mayor’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year.

The West Haven budget will not be finalized until next month and no layoff notices have been sent. But Superintendent Neil Cavallaro told NBC Connecticut that he and the Board of Education are facing tough decisions with the upcoming budget. They asked for an additional $1.7 million in funding, but Mayor Nancy Rossi said she can only allocate an additional $400,000, as the city faces a $9 million shortfall through next year.

Louise Martone runs a small business in West Haven and has had two children go through the city’s school system.

“I love the town I just think that unfortunately we found ourselves in a situation where there needs to be some cuts,” Martone said.

She’s now on the City Council, serving as the chairwoman of the Finance Committee.

“I think every elected official including the mayor should take 10 percent cut, it should go all the way down, listen I’m a council person, I’d forgo my pay,” she said.

Cavallaro said district staff has made concessions in recent years.

“We have several unions went at least two years without a pay increase, our teachers went into a new medical plan which saved the district and the city some money,” he explained.

But with only so much wiggle room in next year’s budget, teachers could be impacted, and there could be layoffs. Cavallaro said asking staff to take furlough days may be an option to avoid more drastic cuts.

“We would go to any one of our unions and say look in lieu of layoffs which you consider whatever we come up with,” he told NBC Connecticut.

Martone offered some advice. “He should look at his line items and stay away from the teachers and paras,” she said.

And Cavallaro has a message for West Haven’s teachers.

“I don’t want anybody on my staff now to start looking for jobs in other districts because I feel like I’ve got a great staff,” he said.

Right now the mayor is not proposing a tax increase. When asked if she’d consider taking a pay cut, she said she’s reduced staff in her office and did not take the city’s health insurance. The mayor also said she’ll continue looking to make cuts from city operations in hopes of avoiding teacher layoffs.

Lena's Pizza, Sully's Pub in Hartford Close Down

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Two popular Hartford businesses have closed their doors for good, according to a post from the owner.

Lena’s First & Last Pizzeria and Sully’s Pub, both owned by the Sullivan family, have shut down, according to a post from owner Darrell Sullivan.

“Unfortunately it appears to be the end of an era for my businesses Lena’s Pizza and Sully’s Pub at this time they have been closed. Time will tell if it’s for good or not,” read the post of Darrell Sullivan.

Lena’s was founded in 1982 by the Sullivan family and has been a staple at its Park Street location for years, popular for its Sicilian recipes and classic pizza and sandwich offerings. The family’s sister business, Sully’s Pub, was next door and offered a seasonal tiki bar and live music.

Sullivan cited high taxes as one reason for the decision.




Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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FIRST ALERT: Heavy Rain, Gusty Winds Possible Monday

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The NBC Connecticut meteorologists have issued a First Alert for the chance for heavy rain, strong winds, and thunder Monday.

Right now we’re tracking the chance for stormy weather Monday, following a weekend that goes from summerlike back down to near freezing temperatures.

Friday will see a few showers and a mix of sun and clouds, with highs near 70. Saturday will be similar, partly cloudy and warm with highs in the 70s during the day. Temperatures will drop rapidly by late afternoon and evening as a cold front moves in.

Sunday will be significantly colder with clouds and showers, and light icing possible in the hills. Temperatures will drop down into the 30s.

Storms move in Monday, with rain heavy at times that could cause some localized flooding. Thunderstorms are possible, paired with a chance for gusty winds.

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We’ll refine the forecast as we get closer.

For the latest forecast anytime, click here.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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Middletown Votes to Tear Down Deteriorated Parking Garage

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The Middletown City Council voted Thursday to tear down a downtown parking garage that was forced to shut down earlier this year due to unsafe conditions, but the solution to that safety problem creates a new problem – a lack of available parking space.

The “parking arcade” once offered 300 parking spaces. Parking Director Geen Thazhampallath said the city closed the bottom level almost two years ago due to safety concerns. The top level, about 175 public spots, was forced to close in early March.

Residents who spoke to NBC Connecticut said a solution for the parking problems can’t come soon enough.

“Where are we going to park? We went up and down the street and kept thinking that we saw spots but they were handicapped,” said Essex resident Shelia Myers.

Residents and visitors alike all know finding a spot to park in downtown Middletown can be a struggle.

“It can be frustrating. You want to go this place and you’re wondering if you can find a spot there,” Middletown resident Justin Olson said.

But city officials said they had no choice but to shut the parking arcade down.

Over the last 10 years the garage started to deteriorate. Concrete would crumble and fall from the upper level of the garage, and water would seep into electrical boxes causing sparks and joints were wearing out fast. From some parts of the lower garage, the sky is visible.

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“I’d rather have people frustrated than have somebody die in a catastrophic accident,” said Middletown Mayor Dan Drew (D)

At a special City Council meeting members voted to approve $750,000 to be spent on the takedown of the deteriorating structure.

“You saw what happened in Florida a couple weeks ago… I’m not going to take any chances. I’m not going to take any chances. I’m not going to have that responsibility of seeing someone get hurt because we didn’t do the right thing because we were afraid of some backlash,” Drew said.

The council issued bonds of an equal amount to cover the appropriation of the funds for the project. Some councilmembers expressed concerns over the process leading up to the vote and wonder about the project’s execution. But the mayor said for safety’s sake, now is the time to act on the issue.

“At the end of the day this is our responsibility and we’re not going to play around with people’s lives,” Drew said.

Drew told NBC Connecticut he wants to begin the demolition process as soon as possible. He said they’ll be asking the City Council for a bid waiver for the project. In the meantime, to make up for ome of the lost parking, they’ll be adding street parking spaces.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

911 Call Tied to Double Homicide in New Milford Released

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Authorities have released a 911 call made to North Carolina police made by the mother of a suspect believed involved in a double homicide in New Milford before shooting himself in New York. Police said the incidents are all tied to the homicide of an infant in North Carolina.

"He said, he doesn't have, he killed his wife, he killed her father. And he, I can't even believe this is happening. " In a chilling 911 call, a mother told authorities she feared her son had gone on a multi-state killing spree.

That call sent investigators in multiple states scrambling to piece together the case.

Two people were found dead near the intersection of Route 55 and 7 in New Milford Thursday morning.

The suspect was also found dead just across the border in Dover, New York.

"My son just called me and he told me he, Oh God, he killed his baby and he's in the house,” a woman can be heard saying in the call.

That 911 call sent officers rushing to a home in Knightdale, North Carolina. Officers there discovered a 7-month old boy dead. But there was no sign of the boy's father. Police did not provide details on how the baby may have died.

"Did he say how he did it? Or what he did?" a dispatcher asked.

"I didn't ask him. I didn't ask him. I didn't want to know,” the woman responded.

That's when a hunt started for a suspect, 43-year-old Steven Pladl. Hundreds of miles north in Duchess County, New York, investigators discovered that Pladl apparently took his own life in a van. Police believe Pladl was involved in the slaying of two others a few miles away in Connecticut, according to police in Knightdale, North Carolina.


"It is our understanding, yes, that Mr. Pladl drove to that area for the specific purpose of making some confrontations," Chief Lawrence Capps of the Knightdale, N.C. police department.

Thursday morning in New Milford, detectives said Pladl's daughter and her adoptive father were found shot and killed in a pick-up truck. NBC Connecticut has learned that Pladl had a romantic relationship with his biological daughter, Katie, and it was their son found dead in North Carolina.

Based on the 911 call, it appears the 20-year-old was done with her dad as a lover.

"His wife broke up with him over the phone yesterday."

The father-daughter couple were known to authorities in North Carolina. According to court records, they were arrested in January following the birth of their son and they faced charges including incest.



Photo Credit: Raleigh-Wake CCBI

The Best Tax Prep Software for Your Financial Situation

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Whether it’s to save money or for the challenge, millions of Americans prefer to prepare their tax returns themselves — with help from some do-it-yourself computer software. Consumer Reports released its annual review of the four major tax prep software companies, NBC News BETTER reported, and these are the magazine’s recommendations.

For beginners, H&R Block has “simple explanations that are clear and easily accessible." While TurboTax Delux is good for processing complicated returns, the editors suggest working with a tax professional instead if you've had a major life event, own rental property, started a new business or failed to file in the past.

Meanwhile, TaxAct is good if you want a big deduction for donated goods. Its "Donation Assistant" provided higher valuations for more donated goods than H&R Block’s "DeductionPro" and TurboTax’s "ItsDeductible."

And those who want to use their smartphones to file returns should use TurboTax Delux and H&R Block Delux. Apps from all the companies make it “relatively painless” to photograph W-2s and import them into the tax programs. TurboTax's “Virtual Assistant” even guides you to help.



Photo Credit: Getty Images/Hero Images, File

Crews Responding to Fire at JC Recycling in Meriden

CCDL Looks to Cancel Dinner at Aqua Turf Over Dropping NRA Fundraiser

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The Connecticut Citizens Defense League is looking to terminate its plans to host a dinner at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville after the facility's decision not hold the National Rifle Association fundraiser dinner there.

“The Connecticut Citizens Defense League has been pleased to host our Anniversary Dinner at your location for the past several years. The Aqua Turf gas been a premier venue for organizations such as ours including sportsmen’s functions and other similar fundraisers,” CCDL president Scott Wilson and CCDL events coordinator Holly Sullivan wrote in a letter to Aqua Turf.

“However, we are tremendously disappointed in the Aqua Turfs statement released yesterday that the Friends of the NRA would no longer be welcome after a 25 year relationship. While we understand that the Aqua Turf received pressure from outside entities, we cannot continue to patronize Aqua Turf now that your company has publicly taken a political stance in stark contrast to our own,” the statement goes on to say.

“We stand in solidarity with the Friends of the NRA and, therefore request to terminate our agreement with the Aqua Turk for the February 9th 2019 event. Additionally, we will not be submitted the already drafted February 15th 2020 agreement,” Wilson and Sullivan wrote.

Aqua Turf did not have a comment Friday morning about the letter from the CCDL.

The venue became a target for anti-NRA activists from the Newtown Action Alliance as the banquet venue was poised to host a Friends of the National Rifle Association fundraiser on March 23. The NRA had hosted the fundraiser at the Plantsville location for years.

At the time, Aqua Turf’s longtime general manager, Tim Needham, called the attack “totally unfair” and said that they do not discriminate against clients for any reason.

However, Aqua Turf officials earlier this week announced that they and NRA officials mutually agreed to move the function somewhere else.

When the announcement came out, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League expressed its disappointment at the decision.

The Newtown Action Alliance, which had previously called for a boycott of the venue, applauded the Aqua Turf’s action.

“We do not want corporations and private entities to do business with the NRA, let alone help to raise money for the NRA,” Po Murray, chairwoman of the Newtown Action Alliance, said in a statement released earlier this week.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut

FDA Works to Pull Concentrated Caffeine Products off Shelves

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The Food and Drug Administration Friday declared concentrated, bulk caffeine products illegal and said it would act to get them off the shelves, NBC News reported.

"These products present a significant public health threat because of the high risk that they will be erroneously used at excessive, potentially dangerous doses," the FDA said in a statement. "Highly concentrated and pure caffeine, often sold in bulk packages, have been linked to at least two deaths in otherwise healthy individuals."

The FDA has been warning about powdered caffeine since 2014, when an Ohio teenager died after using it. One teaspoon of the powdered caffeine can deliver the equivalent of 20 or more cups of coffee, the FDA said. That's enough to kill, as too much caffeine can cause fatal heartbeat irregularities.

"Regardless of whether the product contains a warning label, such products present a significant and unreasonable risk of illness or injury to the consumer," the FDA said.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File, File

Can Philly DA's Radical Approach Protect the City?

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Constance Wilson is angry. She’s angry that her grandson is no longer with her. She’s angry that his accused killers still haven’t been convicted. And she’s angry at Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for the role that she believes he played in delaying justice for her family.

“I don’t trust him,” she said. “He put the same people back on the street.”

Her grandson, Philadelphia Police Sgt. Robert Wilson III, visited a North Philadelphia GameStop on March 5, 2015, to buy a video game for his son. Two gunmen entered the store and announced a holdup. Wilson tried to thwart the robbery and died after a shootout with the suspects.

More than three years after Wilson’s death, Constance Wilson is still waiting for the men accused of killing him to go to trial. Both Carlton Hipps and Ramone Williams are charged with murder, conspiracy, robbery and a long list of related charges.

Last month, the accused men's defense team asked a Philadelphia judge for additional time to prepare their case. Prosecutors did not oppose the request and a new pretrial hearing was set for June with a two-week jury trial expected to start in November.

The delay outraged Wilson’s family.

"They need to take [Krasner] by the seat of his pants and take him out of the city," Constance Wilson said.

"What good is he doing?"

That question triggers dramatically different answers depending on who you ask. And it’s a question that Krasner answered himself during an interview with NBC10 as he reflected on his first 100 days in office.

During his campaign for district attorney, Krasner promised to change the system by reducing mass incarceration, to fight corruption by bringing transparency to his office and to battle injustice by ending cash bail for low-level offenders.

But several families of victims question whether Krasner's crusade interferes with his duties as the city's chief prosecutor, the top official in charge of punishing crime.

Krasner argues that his continued commitment to social reform is, in fact, the most effective way to fight crime.

"We have to be willing to be smart, not just political, when it comes to crime,” he said.
 
Being smart, according to the district attorney, includes investing money into education and drug and mental health treatment rather than placing people in jail for non-violent offenses.  
 
“The 16-year-old who is still in school is not the one who is most likely to go pick up a gun and go kill somebody,” he said.

Upholding the law while working toward social reform has been a central theme throughout Krasner's career. The walls of his office, on the 18th floor of The Widener Building in Center City, mostly remain undecorated except for large black and white photographs of Martin Luther King Jr.

When asked if the artwork was recently displayed for the commemoration of King's death, Krasner's spokesman, Ben Waxman, answered simply: "They're always there."

Born in 1961 in St. Louis, Missouri, to a World War II veteran father and a Christian minister mother, Krasner attended public school in Philadelphia. He received his Bachelor of the Arts from the University of Chicago and then attended Stanford Law School, where he focused on indigenous rights, homelessness and poverty. After graduating in 1987, he returned to Philadelphia and became a public defender.

In 1993, Krasner opened his own law practice in Center City that specialized in criminal defense and civil rights. He sued the Philadelphia Police Department more than 75 times on corruption and physical abuse charges. His reputation as a social justice activist was one reason for Krasner's 75 percent margin of victory in last year’s closely watched district attorney race.

Krasner vowed to bring sweeping reforms and transparency to an office plagued by the scandal surrounding former District Attorney Seth Williams, who was convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to prison time.

He wasted no time reshaping the 600-person-strong office. More than 30 staff members were either fired or resigned within three days of Krasner's tenure.

He also implemented new policies, including ending cash bail for low-level offenders, requiring prosecutors to reveal the cost of incarceration before sentencing and dropping criminal charges on 50 marijuana possession cases. Those policies, he said, were part of a larger goal to end mass incarceration.

In March, a leaked memo showed Krasner instructing prosecutors to stop charging for "any amount" of marijuana possession and some cases of prostitution.

Krasner's policies drew national headlines and praise from left-leaning progressives — as well as criticism from hard-liners who labeled him an enabler of criminals.

But speaking to NBC10, Krasner emphatically rejected the notion that he was soft on crime.

“Come on now — the criticism you’re repeating is coming from people whose administration had a higher rate of violent crime last year than we have right now,” he said.

Despite his reputation as an impassioned reformer, Krasner is calm and composed in person, already comfortable in the media spotlight having drawn the attention of prominent leaders throughout the country.

At the mention of Gerard Grandzol, however, he choked back tears.

The 38-year-old community activist was shot and killed in front of his 2-year-old daughter in September. Krasner described Grandzol’s "horrifying" murder as an "absolutely crushing tragedy."

The accused shooter was 16 years old at the time of Grandzol’s death. In March, the suspect’s defense attorney requested that he be tried in juvenile court.

Grandzol’s widow and family supporters pleaded for Krasner to prevent that from happening. 

“I understand how she feels,” Krasner said. “But, no decision has been made in that case.”

Two days after his interview with NBC10, Krasner filed a motion calling for the teen murder suspect to be tried as an adult. He will not face the death penalty, however.

"The United States Supreme Court has said that the death penalty is not an option for juveniles," Krasner said. "Neither is a life sentence."

During his campaign, Krasner pledged he would never seek capital punishment, calling the death penalty "expensive, ineffective and racially biased." It's this kind of rhetoric that angers Sgt. Wilson’s family.   

Yet despite his personal opposition to the death penalty, Krasner reassured the Wilsons that the case would remain a capital one. It is currently under review by a committee that will determine the most appropriate sentence to seek. That committee will send Krasner their recommendation and he will make a decision, though it won’t be a political one, Krasner said.

"I have a duty here that I will complete," he said. "But there’s nothing inconsistent about pursuing your duty and having a personal opinion that the death penalty is a bad thing."

Krasner is part of a current wave of elected officials nationwide who are rethinking the ways their offices pursue justice. At the beginning of 2017, New Jersey essentially ended cash bail, a move that Krasner implemented here in February. He argued that requiring people to post bail for minor crimes — like driving under the influence and retail theft — unfairly targets those who can’t afford to pay to keep themselves out of jail.

John Hollway, the executive director of Penn Law's Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice, said Krasner is embracing a “21st-century role of prosecutors as crime reducers.”

In the 1980s and 1990s, the prevailing trend for law enforcement was based on the so-called "broken windows theory" developed by two criminologists. The theory is that stemming the rise of minor crimes, from subway turnstile jumping to burglary, could lead to suppression of more violent crime.

The approach evolved following decades of police departments, including Philadelphia’s under police commissioner and Mayor Frank Rizzo, aggressively hunting criminals and pursuing tough prison sentences.  

Now, however, the theory has been criticized, and lawmakers such as Krasner are taking a more holistic approach by focusing on the big picture before sending offenders to jail.

Some people, the thinking goes, could be better served through social services than prison time.

"If you’re going to send somebody away for two years, it should be worth it," Krasner said. "If you’re going to send them away for 50 years ... it should be worth it."

This can seem counterintuitive to victims of crime who want to see harsher forms of justice.

“It’s a very natural, emotional reaction to want to punish people for committing crimes,” Hollway said. “Sometimes an eye for an eye seems just. The question is whether incarcerating somebody will reduce crime.”

Krasner doesn’t necessarily believe so, which is why he is now requiring prosecutors to reveal the cost of sending an offender to prison during sentencing. The policy, Krasner argued, actually supports victims because it reveals "the social cost" of a crime and helps focus resources on violent offenses.

It's too soon to tell whether his reforms will change Philadelphia's criminal justice system.

From July 2015 to December 2017, Philadelphia’s jail population decreased 25 percent, according to the city’s Office of Criminal Justice. Officials attribute that success to policies rolled out after Philadelphia received a $3.5 million grant from the MacArthur Foundation in 2016. The money went towards decreasing reliance on cash bail, implementing police diversion programs and providing early bail review for pretrial defendants, among other initiatives.  

Since Krasner took office, the jail population fell 9 percent. It is currently hovering around 5,500, according to the city's Office of Criminal Justice.

"This could be attributable to a number of factors, including new policies and initiatives across the city’s criminal justice system," Julie Wertheimer, from the Office of Criminal Justice, said.

Like the prison population, Philadelphia’s homicide rate is down from this time last year. Philadelphia Police Capt. Sekou Kinebrew, the department's spokesman, credits many things “working in tandem,” such as building a better relationship between communities and law enforcement. That relationship extends to the district attorney’s office. Kinebrew told NBC10 he speaks with Krasner’s staff at least once a week. 

Yet one of Krasner’s harshest critics is Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby, who labeled the district attorney as "anti-police."

After Krasner spoke to cadets about the use of unnecessary force, McNesby accused him of endangering the lives of officers through his “ridiculous and dangerous presentation.” The statement was refuted by Krasner’s spokesman in a series of tweets.

McNesby did not respond to multiple interview requests for this story.

During his interview with NBC10, Krasner denied being at odds with law enforcement, saying he has an "excellent relationship" with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross. He also cited his efforts to keep more officers on the street.

Kinebrew confirmed that Ross and Krasner have met, and that the two offices continue to work closely together.

Yet the anti-police accusations leveled against Krasner have been bolstered by the recent criticisms from Sgt. Wilson’s family. Not only did they accuse him of slowing down the murder case, they also questioned his previous relationship with Michael Coard, a defense attorney for one of the suspects and a member of Krasner’s transition team.

The district attorney’s spokesperson said that Coard and Krasner have not spoken about the case since he took office.

“Let’s understand, [the case is] three years old,” Krasner said. “The prior administration had all those other years and they did not succeed at getting it to trial despite all the chest-beating.”

Krasner added that his office will be careful to not go to trial unprepared, which could lead to a case being overturned. He also insisted that he met with Wilson’s family members personally to speak with them.

Ultimately, Krasner believes the impact of his social reform will lead to justice for Wilson, Grandzol and other victims of violent crime.

“We have to do things that actually work," the district attorney said, "not just talk tough.”

Krasner’s activist approach to crime reduction is ambitious. It’s long-term effectiveness remains to be seen, however, and will not only define his legacy, but also Philadelphia’s future.

“What he’s trying to do is really exciting and really difficult,” John Hollway from the Quattrone Center said. “He’s trying to improve and modify the culture. Not just the district attorney’s office but the entire criminal justice system. To the law enforcement side, he has to show that he can protect.”



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
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Crash Closes Route 80 in Guilford

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A stretch of Route 80 in Guilford is closed Friday for repair work after a crash.

Police said Route 80 is closed between Long Hill and Durham roads and utility crews hope to have the it opened by 3 p.m.

A detour has been established using Elm Street, which connects the north side of Long Hill Road, and Durham Road.

Police said repairs will also cause intermittent power outages throughout the day.

No one was injured during the crash.





Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Man Rescued After Vehicle Plunges Off 'Devil's Slide' Cliff in Calif.

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A man was pulled to safety in a dramatic rescue Friday after his vehicle plunged into the Pacific Ocean off a cliff near Devil's Slide in San Mateo County.

The gray minivan went over the cliff off the picturesque Highway 1 at Montara State Beach, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The van fell approximately 150-175 feet before it hit the ocean, Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Casgrave official said.

Helicopter video showed officials hanging to the side of the cliff, with one rescuer rappelling down the cliff and returning to the street with a man wearing red shirt as ocean waves pounded the smashed vehicle.

Chief Gasgrave said the driver lost control of the car before it went over the edge. A witness called 911 and officials were able to rescue the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle.

It wasn't immediately clear how the driver lost control of the van.

The man suffered non-life threatening injuries, appeared to be walking and is believed to be the only occupant of the vehicle. He could be seen limping toward the ambulance. He was transported San Francisco General Hospital where he's recovering from minor injuries and hypothermia, officials said.

Devil's Slide is a steep, rocky coastal promontory located about midway between Montara and the Linda Mar District of Pacifica. It is characterized by eroded slopes. 

Police Find 'No Credibility' to Threat at Dodd Middle School in Cheshire

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The shelter-in-place has been lifted at Dodd Middle School in Cheshire after a threat and police said they are confident there is no credibility to that threat.

Police said earlier that the school administration received “notification against Dodd.”

On Friday afternoon, they released a statement they said the Board of Education sent to the parents of Dodd students:

“I am pleased to let you know that Dodd Middle School has been restored to a normal school operating mode. As we reported earlier, the school was put into a lockdown because of a report we received that a student had made a threat against the school. Based on their investigation, the Cheshire Police have concluded that there is no credible threat against staff, students, or the school. Students will be dismissed at their normally scheduled time of 2:44 pm today”.

Cheshire police remain at Dodd Middle School and are continuing to investigate the threats, but said they are confident that there was no credibility to the threat.





Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Bodycam Shows YouTube Shooter Hours Before Rampage at HQ

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Mountain View police on Friday released the bodycam video of their interaction with the YouTube shooter hours before she opened fire at YouTube's headquarters in San Bruno, California, last week.

Police said Nasim Aghdam was found sleeping in her car on April 3 around 1:38 a.m. The bodycam video showed Aghdam wearing a pink sweater as police asked her if she was the missing person from San Diego. Aghdam told police she left her family and showed police her identification.

"I came here two days ago," Aghdam told police. She said she left home because she and her family were not getting along.

A Mountain View police officer can be seen and heard asking Aghdam whether she was suicidal or if she wanted to hurt anyone else. Aghdam shook her head and said "No."

"We believe that sharing our officers' footage is tantamount to our constant pursuit of transparency. To that end, we are now able to provide the content below, and we thank you for your patience," Mountain View police said in a statement.

Shortly after the officers' interaction with Aghdam, Moutain View police said they contacted Aghdam's father who did not mention whether Aghdam was a threat to anyone. An hour after that phone call, Ismail Aghdam called back to say his daugther may have been in the area because she was upset with YouTube and its video policy, police said.

Police said there was no recording of the phone calls with Ismail Aghdam because "officers do not routinely record calls with reporting parties or relatives of missing persons."

Mountain View police told NBC Bay Area officers didn’t notice any red flags when they spoke with Aghdam hours before she shot three YouTube employees.

A department spokesperson said officers may run names through the registered gun owner’s database in situations when they suspect domestic violence or mental illness, for example. She said because Aghdam didn’t pose a threat, there was no reason for officers to check and see if she owned a gun.

Aghdam was prolific at producing videos and posting them online. She exercised, promoted animal rights and explained the vegan diet, often in bizarre productions with elaborate costumes or carrying a rabbit.

She posted the videos under the online name Nasime Sabz, and a website in that name decried YouTube's policies, saying the company was trying to "suppress" content creators.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Mountain View PD
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