Regional Briefs – July 26, 2016

Mexico Fugitive Who Taunted Prosecutor Extradited

BRONX – A fugitive who taunted prosecutors on social media for seven months in Mexico was returned to New York Monday to serve his 10-year sentence, The Associated Press reported. Ronald DeJesus Plaza fled at the end of his trial and began posting photos of rum, pistols and a Lamborghini.

NJ High Court: Poor Parents Have Right to Attorney

TRENTON – New Jersey’s top court ruled Tuesday that indigent parents being sued by foster families or private adoption agencies must be provided with an attorney, The Associated Press reported. The court said there’s no room for error when a child “may be lost forever.”

NJ Transit Train Evacuated After Bomb Hoax

NEWARK – A NJ Transit passenger was arrested Monday and is undergoing a psychological evaluation after he made a bomb threat, The Associated Press reported. Passengers were evacuated and Mohammed Mahmoud, 29, was detained. Nothing suspicious was found.

De Blasio: Surge of Affordable Housing in 2016

NEW YORK – Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday his administration secured 23,284 affordable apartments during Fiscal Year 2016 which ended June 30, the second highest in NYC history and the most since Ed Koch. He has set a goal of 80,000 new affordable housing units over 10 years.

Cop Who Left Son in Hot Car Won’t be Charged in Death

ROME, N.Y. – A police officer who left his 4-month-old son inside a hot car won’t face charges in his death, The Associated Press reported. The Oneida DA says Mark Fanfarillo’s actions do not reach criminal liability. He forgot to drop him off at day care and mistakenly left him in the car all day in early June.

Man With Swords in Both Hands Menaced People in Park

BROOKLYN – Police used a stun gun Monday to subdue a man who was menacing people with two swords at a Bushwick park, the Daily News reported. When cops surrounded the suspect he unsheathed two swords and told them, “You’re going to have to kill me.”

This article appeared in print on page 40 of the July 27th, 2016 edition of Hamodia.