Johnson City patrolman Matthew Romano told his brother-in-law his marriage was over just hours before Romano reported being stabbed [by a Black man] in a cemetery while on duty... Judge Martin E. Smith acquitted the nine-year officer of both charges against him...Previous post HERE.
EXCERPTS FROM NOV.7 & YESTERDAY'S NEWS:
TESTIMONY TODAY FOCUSES ON JC PATROLMAN'S MARRIAGE
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY
By Vanessa Ebbeling
November 7, 2008
[Excerpts] Johnson City patrolman Matthew Romano told his brother-in-law his marriage was over just hours before Romano reported being stabbed in a cemetery while on duty, his brother-in-law Brian Rullo testified today... Romano made several other phone calls that day, including canceling New Year's Eve plans with friends and a babysitter he had scheduled for the holiday. Later that night, Romano was found unconscious in Calvary Cemetery. He would later say two black men had jumped him while he was investigating a suspicious vehicle. He suffered two stab wounds to his abdomen, a broken nose, a concussion and numerous head cuts. Now, the 31-year-old patrolman is being tried in Broome County Court on one felony count of offering a false report for filing and one misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an incident. Prosecutors allege Romano stabbed himself while his life was in turmoil and his marriage was crumbling. Defense attorney Michael A. Korchak said the police investigation was in disarray from the beginning with leads that were never followed and evidence that was never tested... [Full article here]
JUDGE ACQUITS JC POLICEMAN IN CEMETERY STABBING CASE
District attorney, mayor study potential next steps
Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY
By Jim Wright
November 13, 2008
[Excerpts] Suspended Johnson City patrolman Matthew C. Romano walked out of the Broome County courtroom a free man shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. Judge Martin E. Smith acquitted the nine-year officer of both charges against him: first-degree offering a false report for filing, a felony, and third-degree falsely reporting an incident, a misdemeanor... The judge's decision was met with ooh's and ahh's from two dozen people still in the courtroom, including Romano's family members and fellow officers. Some of Romano's family wept openly; others in the courtroom reached for their cell phones to spread the word. Romano, 31, and his former wife, Genevieve, embraced. About 10 minutes later, in the courtroom waiting area, Romano wept... [Broome County District Attorney Gerald] Mollen said he could not appeal the innocent verdict, but added the prosecution may still have options... Johnson City Mayor Harry G. Lewis said he would consult with the village attorneys on the village's next step... "I was disappointed with the verdict," said Lewis who sat through all of the testimony... [Full article here]
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