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Rockland County Court Rejects Convicted Murderer’s Eighth Attempt To Vacate Conviction

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2 months ago

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Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II, announced today that, in a decision issued on March 25, 2025, Rockland County Court Judge Kevin F. Russo rejected the latest attempt by convicted murderer Amer Zada to have his conviction vacated. The court noted that this motion is the eighth time Zada has sought to reverse or vacate his conviction.
In 1980, Zada was convicted of the murder of seventeen-year-old Shirley Smith in a Village of Nyack parking lot. He was also convicted of Attempted Sodomy in the First Degree and Aggravated Sexual Abuse as a result of his attack on Ms. Smith. At his trial, Zada was represented by William Kunstler, a world-renowned defense attorney who had gained notoriety for successfully defending many high profile and controversial clients.
In its decision, the court described the defendant’s current motion as being largely based on Zada’s claim that certain documents were not turned over to him prior to trial.
“The court found that Zada had failed to adequately establish this speculative claim as he provided no direct evidence that he had never received the documents. I would like to commend Executive Assistant District Attorney James Dolan for his dedication and professionalism representing the Office in this proceeding.” said District Attorney Tom Walsh.
The court also found that, even assuming that the documents had not been turned over, they were of little importance in the case against Zada and none of them were exculpatory within the meaning of the law. In addition, the court found that Zada’s motion to vacate his conviction raised only minor inconsistencies in the case against him, most of which were thoroughly explored by Mr. Kunstler during the trial. In conclusion, the court found that Zada had not offered anything to justify vacating his conviction.

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Crime

New York State Police Issue Over 12,000 Tickets During Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Campaign

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5 days ago

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May 28, 2025

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ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – The New York State Police announced that a total of 12,062 tickets were issued statewide during the 2025 Memorial Day Weekend traffic enforcement campaign, marking a significant increase in citations compared to last year. The special enforcement period ran from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, 2025, and was part of an annual effort to keep roads safe during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

The initiative, partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, included sobriety checkpoints, increased DWI patrols, and targeted enforcement against distracted driving and other dangerous behaviors.
Enforcement Results: DWI Arrests and Traffic Violations

During the four-day period, 245 drivers were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Troopers also responded to 774 motor vehicle crashes, including three fatal accidents.

Key violations during the 2025 Memorial Day crackdown included:

Speeding: 3,472 tickets

Distracted Driving: 393 tickets

Seatbelt Violations: 1,660 tickets

Move Over Law Violations: 225 tickets

These figures show a notable increase from the 2024 Memorial Day Weekend enforcement, during which 10,949 total tickets were issued and 225 DWI arrests were made.
A Message of Road Safety and Responsibility

The New York State Police emphasized that these enforcement efforts are vital to protecting drivers and passengers during high-traffic holiday periods.

Below is a breakdown of violations by troop:

Officials encourage drivers to always wear seatbelts, avoid distractions, respect speed limits, and never drive under the influence.

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Crime

A Day In The Life of Ramapo Police Officers

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2 weeks ago

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May 21, 2025

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Over the past 24 hours, Ramapo Police Officers have remained hard at work, responding to calls for service, enforcing traffic laws, and actively engaging with our community. Here’s a look at the highlights from another demanding day in public safety.

Traffic Enforcement & Public Safety

Our continued efforts to maintain roadway safety led to several enforcement actions:

  • Three motorists were cited for operating vehicles with suspended registrations.

  • Three drivers were stopped and cited for driving with suspended licenses.

These proactive measures are part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our roadways safe for all.

Arrests and Enforcement Actions

Officers made several arrests in connection with a variety of incidents:

  • Two individuals were taken into custody on active warrants. Both were later released on their own recognizance.

  • One arrest was made in a domestic incident for violating an Order of Protection. The individual was also released on recognizance.

  • An additional arrest was made for an open container violation, a part of our continued focus on quality-of-life enforcement throughout the Town of Ramapo.

Major Incident: Armed Robbery

A significant and violent incident occurred involving an armed robbery at the end of a residential driveway. During the altercation, the victim was pistol-whipped as they attempted to retain possession of a firearm. The suspect ultimately fled the scene with a substantial amount of cash. The victim sustained injuries and was treated at the scene.

Ramapo Police Officers and Detectives responded immediately and initiated a collaborative investigation with the New York State Police . Through coordinated efforts, a suspect was identified and located within hours.

A 42-year-old male from Middletown, NY was taken into custody and formally charged with:

  • Robbery in the First Degree

  • Assault in the Second Degree

  • Criminal Use of a Firearm in the First Degree

  • Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree

  • Menacing in the Second Degree

The suspect is currently being processed at Ramapo Police Headquarters. Arraignment is expected later today at Hillburn Justice Court.

Our officers remain dedicated to serving and protecting the residents of Ramapo. We thank the community for its continued support and vigilance.

Ramapo Police Department

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