Category Archives: Blotter

Police/Fire/Rescue/Courts Blotter

Barry Goldstein, convicted of Stockport arson, dies while in prison

by DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—Barry Goldstein, 77, recently convicted and sentenced to time in state prison, died in the Coxsackie Correctional Facility, a maximum security state prison in Greene County, December 25 at 5:13 p.m.

Mr. Goldstein was incarcerated at the Coxsackie Regional Medical Unit. The official cause of death will be determined and released by the Greene County Medical Examiner’s Office pursuant to County Law, according to an emailed statement from the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. State coroners and medical examiners determine the cause of death, according to the law, which “leaves it to coroners and medical examiners to determine if results will be released and to whom. All deaths in the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s facilities are reviewed by the State Commission of Correction.

Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka said by phone this week that Mr. Goldstein had recently been diagnosed with a “serious illness.” An obituary for Mr. Goldstein appears on page 17 of this issue. Read more…

Hudson Police charge city man in store robbery

by DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—Hudson City Police arrested Jaleel A. Martin, 23, of Hudson on a charge of third degree robbery, a class D felony, December 14.

Police received a transferred Columbia County 911 call from the Quick-Mart store on Green Street, November 16 at 7:13 p.m.

The store clerk told police that a man entered the store and stole $375 from the cash register, along with three new packs of $1 New York State Lottery cards. The suspect allegedly threatened the store clerk during the theft of property. Read more…

Family pleads guilty to misdemeanors in death of 12 year old

by DIANE VALDEN

HUDSON—Columbia County Judge Richard Koweek accepted guilty pleas from Steven Bennett, Heidi Tranberg-Bennett, Venuska Tranberg-Bennett, Svenia Tranberg-Bennett, Petrevena Tranberg-Bennett, Tevania Tranberg-Bennett and Ryan Torres, according to a press release from Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka issued Wednesday, December 16.

All of the defendants pleaded guilty December 15 to endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor, in the connection with the death of 12-year-old Evanna Tranberg-Bennett. All the defendants are related to Evanna, including her parents, Steven and Heidi.

They were all initially charged with second degree manslaughter, a class C felony. Read more…

Five more face manslaughter charge in girl’s death

by DIANE VALDEN

AUSTERLITZ—Heidi Tranberg-Bennett, 47, and Steven Bennett, 58, both of Austerlitz, were each charged with second degree manslaughter November 2 in connection with the negligent death of their 12-year-old daughter, Evanna.

Now five more people each face the same charge in connection with the girl’s death, according to a December 1 press release from Sheriff David P. Bartlett.

Cesar Ryan Torres, 33; Venuska Tranberg-Bennett, 26; Svenia Tranberg-Bennett, 19; Tevania Tranberg-Bennett, 23; and Petrevena Tranberg-Bennett, 21, all from Austerlitz and all relatives of the victim, were charged with second degree manslaughter, a class C felony, December 1 and were arraigned before County Court Judge Richard Koweek. The charges stem from follow-up in the investigation into the 12-year-old’s death. Read more…

Nighttime gunshots lead to charges against Clermont man

by DIANE VALDEN

CLERMONT—A Sheriff’s deputy and investigator were checking out an Environmental Conservation (EnCon)-related complaint in Clermont when they heard a gunshot nearby after dark, November 27 at 5:20 p.m.

An investigation by Deputy Daniel Keyser and Senior Investigator Foster revealed that a Peter Kilmer, 56, of Clermont had allegedly fired at a deer from a barn on his property.

EnCon Officer James Davi responded to the scene to charge him with Department of Environmental Conservation violations. Read more…