WSSV News

Two Capital Region residents were killed and one severely injured in a crash of a military helicopter near the southern border on Friday. WNYT reports the crash killed Casey Frankoski, a Rensselaer native and New York State Trooper John Grassia III, of Albany County. A third person, Rensselaer High School graduate Jacob Pratt, was seriously hurt, according to the Times Union. The UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed Friday afternoon while conducting aviation operations near Rio Grande City, Texas.

Michele Madigan has a long history of being involved in politics in Saratoga Springs, whether as the city’s Commissioner of Finance for a decade or most recently winning a seat as one of the County Supervisors for the city. The Saratogian reports she is looking to add another position to her resume as she has thrown her hat in the ring to run for County Treasurer.

During over one hour of public comments during Tuesday’s Saratoga Springs City Council meeting, members and supporters of Saratoga Black Lives Matter each shared their thoughts then stood in silence for whatever time was left of their three minutes allotted to speak, waiting for an apology from Mayor John Safford and Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll regarding the actions of the police department and former city officials outlined recently in a scathing 28-page report by the state Attorney General’s Office. Neither was in office at the time and neither apologized.

A federal judge denied motions Thursday from Keith Raniere, the NXIVM sex cult leader serving time in prison. WRGB reports
Raniere is arguing that the government planted evidence against him relating to his convictions on racketeering, child pornography and exploitation — and wants to see that evidence. A judge gave Raniere an April 22nd deadline to submit a reply supporting his motion for a new trial.

The appeal of the Kevin Monahan murder conviction took a step forward on Thursday as his defense team has retained the lawyer who will handle the appeal. WNYT reports Albany criminal defense attorney Matthew Hug has been hired to appeal the conviction. A jury found Monahan guilty of murder in the shooting death of Kaylin Gillis. She was a passenger in a vehicle that had mistakenly driven up his driveway in Hebron.

Sentencing is set for May 15th for a Ballston Spa woman who admitted to stabbing a person in the stomach. 46 year old
Catherine A. Christopher pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court on Wednesday, admitting to stabbing the victim, whom she knew, multiple times. The person was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A Saratoga County man has admitted to sexual abuse. According to WNYT, 20 year old Joseph Freshwater of Stillwater, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to first-degree sexual abuse. Freshwater was arrested in August by Saratoga Springs Police after the Aug. 6 incident. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8.

The case of the Saratoga Springs man charged in the murder of 25-year-old Brianna Craig last month at the Vanderbilt Terrace apartments will go before a grand jury next week. 31 year old Sebastian Mabb faces one count of second-degree murder in the Feb. 6 death of the young woman with whom he was once been in a relationship. According to the preliminary autopsy, her cause of death was asphyxiation.

Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga announced they will host a free performance by the Jazz Ambassadors of Washington, D.C. The show will be held on April 20. WTEN reports The 19-member ensemble is the official touring big band of the United States Army. The concert begins at 7:30pm that night.

The Saratoga business owner who was charged with animal cruelty, after he took a neighbor’s cat and left it outside of an animal shelter after business hours, was sentenced on Tuesday. Anthony Gargano pleaded guilty and in addition to the fines he faces, he’s been banned from owning animals for 50 years. In addition to the 50 year pet owning ban, Gargano has to pay a $205 surcharge, plus a $500 fine.