27 • TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014 Jamaica Man Convicted Of Sex Assault occurred will be with her for the rest of her life, she proved to be resilient and exhibited grace and dignity as she confronted her attacker at trial. She is to be commended for her bravery in ensuring that the guilty did not escape justice.” “This case also underscores the crucial importance of DNA evidence which is irrefutable proof of guilt or innocence,” the district attorney added. “Jurors returned a swift and decisive verdict and the defendant now faces a lengthy prison sentence.” According to trial testimony, the then-19-year-old female victim was on Merrick Boulevard at approximately 3 a.m. on Oct. 13, 2011, when Barrett, also 19 at the time, began following her from behind and approached her wearing a black bandanna that covered his face. Barrett then displayed a box cutter and swung it at her before dragging her behind a Dumpster where he sexually assaulted her. As noted at trial, Barrett then took her to another location nearby where he again sexually assaulted her, this time using a condom which he discarded nearby when he was done. He then robbed the victim of her iPod, $10 in cash and a bank debit card. Police recovered the used condom at the crime scene and turned it over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for DNA analysis of the semen found inside. The DNA was positively matched to a DNA profile of Barrett that was in the state data bank known as CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) as a result of a previous conviction. The investigation was conducted by the NYPD Queens Special Victims Squad. Supervising Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kenneth M. Appelbaum, bureau chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Charles A. Testagrossa and Deputy Assistant District Attorney Daniel A. Saunders. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 12- 112th Precinct News and a car to travel safely side by side, you have the right to ride in the middle of the travel lane. Bicycling is permitted on all main and local streets throughout the city, even when no designated route exists. Use a white headlight and a red taillight, as well as a bell or horn and reflectors. Safety tips Ride in a straight line, obey traffic signs and signals, and do not weave in and out of traffic. Riding predictably reduces your chances of a crash with a motor vehicle. Look, signal and look again before changing lanes or making a turn. Establish eye contact with drivers. Seeing a driver is often not enough. Make sure drivers see you before executing a turn or riding in front of a turning car. Watch out for car doors. Be prepared for the possibility that a car door may be opened in your path. When possible, leave room between yourself and parked cars (3 feet is generally recommended) so that you can avoid a door that opens unexpectedly. Stay visible. Wear brightly colored clothing for daytime riding. At night, use reflective materials and lights. Use your bell. Your bell alerts drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists to your presence, it is required by law. Don't wear earphones. By law you may wear one earbud, but keeping your ears clear is a much safer choice. Wear a helmet. Helmets are required by law for children age 13 or younger and working cyclists, helmets are a good idea for cyclists of all ages. For children on bicycles Children under age one cannot be carried on a bicycle. They must be carried in a properly affixed child carrier. Cyclists under age 13 must wear an approved helmet. Other news All are invited to attend the 112th Precinct Community Council’s next meeting on Wednesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the 112th Precinct stationhouse located at 68-40 Austin St. in Forest Hills. Our guest speaker will be Chief Joanne Jaffe, commander of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau. Editor’s note: Heidi Harrison Chain is president of the 112th Precinct Community Council. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 4- POL HONORED AT HWD. BEACH GALA Suspect Sought For Shooting Three -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- All victims are currently listed in stable condition under the care of Mt Sinai Hospital, Cornell Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital, police reported The suspect is described by police as a 33-year-old male, 5’8” tall and weighing 175 ponds. The NYPD is asking anyone with information about this assault to call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls will be kept confidential. Library Provides Financial Info; Pols Demand More transparency policies.” “Once again, the Queens Borough Public Library board has raised questions about the execution of their fiduciary responsibility,” Katz added. “This institution continues to move further and further away from accountability at the exact moment it should be embracing transparency. ... This board is hiding the Queens Library from necessary sunlight and I am committed to making sure that a bright light is shone on this issue.” According to Queens Library, the settlement’s stipulations were “binding on all future” city comptrollers. In a statement, the nonprofit entity maintained 100 percent of all revenue and expenditures from the city “have been, and continue to be made available” for Stringer’s audit. Queens Library also provided Stringer’s office with information on its workers’ compensation fund, which a spokesperson noted went beyond the parameters of the Hevesi agreement. Even so, the board turned down last Thursday a resolution from one of its members acquiescing to Stringer’s full disclosure demand. Questions regarding Queens Library’s finances have been swirling since January, when it was reported that Thomas W. Galante—the library’s president and CEO— collected a nearly $400,000 annual salary and authorized a six-figure renovation of his Jamaica office. The expenses came as the library reduced staff and services in recent years over what it claimed to be financial difficulties related to government funding cutbacks. The library maintains Galante’s annual compensation is similar to that received by other nonprofit executives. Further public anger was leveled at Galante after it was reported he received an additional six-figure salary for consulting services to the Elmont Union School District in Nassau County, a part-time job he retained while operating Queens Library. Stringer along with the FBI, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Loretta E. Lynch and the city Department of Investigation each launched their own investigations into Queens Library’s operations. The city’s Department of Design and Construction last month froze more than $20 million in funds for Queens Library capital projects, including planned renovations for the Richmond Hill branch. Reportedly, the funds would be made available to the library once city officials prove all proposed expenses are legitimate. Last month, the Queens Library board rebuffed requests made by Katz to force Galante into a leave of absence until the investigations conclude. The borough president indicated in letters to Galante and Board Chair Gabriel Taussig that Galante’s continued leadership put the entire nonprofit entity in financial jeopardy. In a message to the board and staff last Friday, Galante claimed the library “has been the subject of negative media reports about its capital projects” and has “printed a great deal of incorrect and/or incomplete information.” “It is important that the full, correct facts be known,” Galante said. “Our new and upgraded buildings add a lot of value to the community at a low cost. It is something the library is and should be proud of.” Galante also sent a letter to city Independent Budget Office (IBO) Executive Director Ronnie Lowenstein requesting “an independent review and analysis” of Queens Library’s capital program. One source familiar with the situation dismissed it as a “ridiculous” gesture. A spokesperson for Stringer’s office told the Times Newsweekly on Monday, May 12, the city’s Law Department is representing the comptroller in Queens Civil Court in an effort to invalidate the 1997 Hevesi settlement. The audit is ongoing. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- Assemblyman Mike Miller was honored at the Independence Residences (IRI) Gatsby Gala Benefiting people with Developmental Disabilities at 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd in Howard Beach, on May 8. Assemblymen Miller (second from right) and David Weprin (at far right) presented Assembly proclamations to (from left to right) the IRI’s Clifford Emmerich, Jean-Pierre Lardoux and Ray Denatale. Shalarmel Nieves Shop Locally! Support Your Neighborhood Merchants!
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