STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Here’s a look at the most-significant headlines in criminal justice from the last seven days:
Tashawn Beckford stole an SUV and, while speeding, slammed into another vehicle, killing Christine Dahlstrom, 32, on April 25, 2020.
N.J. MAN GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER IN ANNADALE WRECK
A jury on Wednesday convicted a New Jersey man of first-degree assault, manslaughter and other crimes stemming from a wreck in Annadale two years ago in which he slammed a speeding, stolen SUV into another vehicle, killing a young mother.
But jurors acquitted Tashawn Beckford, 25, of the most serious charge, second-degree murder, in the April 25, 2020 crash that claimed Christine Dahlstrom’s life.
Beckford stared at the forewoman from the defense table as the verdict was announced in state Supreme Court, St. George.
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A Richmond County grand jury Thursday indicted Steven Molinaro, grandson of former borough president James Molinaro, on charges of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault in connection with a recent shooting inside a Fort Wadsworth home owned by the Molinaro family. (Steve White for the Staten Island Advance)
STEVEN MOLINARO CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER
Prosecutors have charged the grandson of former Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro with attempted murder, weeks after a shooting inside his Fort Wadsworth home.
Steven Molinaro, 33, initially was arrested on felony marijuana and gun charges after police responded April 27 to the Lyman Avenue residence where they found a 21-year-old woman — who sources have described as the defendant’s on-again-off-again girlfriend — lying on a bed with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Authorities say Molinaro, a second male and the victim were the only three people inside the house at the time.
Considering the new charges of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, the arraignment judge in Criminal Court, St. George on Thursday raised Molinaro’s bail to $500,000 cash or $750,000 bond, the latter requiring 10%, or $75,000, for his conditional release.
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Matthew Poppe, left, is serving a sentence of 15 years to life stemming from the death of his daughter, Sylena Herrkind, 3, seen as an infant, in 2001. His ex-wife, Julie Hernnkind is serving a 25-year sentence.
MAN IN PRISON FOR DAUGHTER’S MURDER ON VERGE OF PAROLE
Just over 20 years ago, a Stapleton man, along with his wife, brutally killed their 3-year-old daughter in their home.
Matthew Poppe and Julie Herrnkind scrubbed little Sylena Herrnkind, who weighed just 22 pounds, with an abrasive pad. Soap was shoved in the child’s mouth, and her face was held under a running faucet.
Poppe, now 48, is serving a sentence of 15 years to life for second-degree murder, under a plea agreement. Following a hearing last month, the parole board granted him an open release date of May 31.
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The defendant chose the victims due to a belief or perception regarding their age, allege prosecutors. The Staten Island Courthouse in St. George is shown in this file photo. (Staten Island Advance/ Jan Somma-Hammel)Staff-Shot
MORE HATE-CRIME CHARGES FOR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Two months ago, prosecutors charged a Staten Island financial advisor with hate crimes for allegedly targeting two victims due to their age and swindling them out of $190,000.
That, as it turns out, was only the beginning.
Prosecutors have now heaped a crush of additional charges on Louis Cook, accusing the Huguenot resident of swindling nine more victims to the tune of about $200,000.
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Gina Aversano was accused of posting a swastika in Wolfe's Pond Park and anti-Semitic flyers elsewhere on Staten Island. She is seen at her arraignment in Criminal Court in July 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
WOMAN, 50, ADMITS TO ANTI-SEMITIC POSTINGS
A 50-year-old New Dorp woman accused of posting anti-Semitic material in the borough has pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges.
Gina Aversano was arrested last July 27 based on a joint investigation between District Attorney Michael E. McMahon’s Cyber Crimes Unit and the NYPD’s Racially and Ethnically Motivated Extremism Unit.
Court documents said Aversano posted a sticker with a swastika onto a rock in Wolfe’s Pond Park in Prince’s Bay, on Nov. 4, 2020.
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The episode occurred on Dec. 16, 2021, inside a building on Bay Street near Thompson Street in Stapleton, allege prosecutors.
S.I WOMAN ACCUSED OF SETTING FIRE IS FOUND UNFIT FOR TRIAL
A 47-year-old Stapleton woman accused of setting a fire in an occupied building in her community five months ago has been found mentally unfit for trial.
A court-ordered psychiatric exam determined Undine Walker does not understand the charges against her and can’t aid in her defense.
Based on those results, state Supreme Court Justice Lisa Grey recently ordered the defendant be placed in a secure psychiatric facility for treatment and periodic evaluation.
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NYPD: RAID IN RICHMOND VALLEY NETS COCAINE, STEROIDS
A police raid in Richmond Valley uncovered cocaine, oxycodone, meth, steroids and cash secreted inside backpacks, a silver case and a cardboard box, authorities allege.
Officers armed with search warrants swarmed the car and home of Jude Aybar, 52, of Madsen Avenue, on March 9 around 2:20 p.m., according to the criminal complaint and police.
Aybar was sitting in the driver’s seat of a black, 2021 Acura sedan, police say.
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