Man Charged in Gas Station

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Brooklyn man accused of trying to set a Bulls Head gas station ablaze last year has pleaded guilty to an assault charge in Mental Health Court to resolve the case.

Police said Fakrol Islam, 28, was caught on surveillance video starting the fire at the 7-Eleven on Victory Boulevard near the intersection of Richmond Avenue around 1:50 a.m. on July 30, 2018.

Islam was indicted on felony counts of attempted arson, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

On Wednesday, Islam pleaded guilty in the Mental Health Court part of state Supreme Court, St. George, to second-degree assault.

He will continue mental-health treatment through the court for an extended period, said Katsnelson.

If Islam completes the program, he’ll be sentenced to five years’ probation, the lawyer said.

Katnelson thanked prosecutors for keeping an open mind on Islam’s mental condition.

“They were able to see that Mr. Islam needed the help of medical professionals and not prison to help him once again become the law-abiding, productive citizen he was prior to the onset of his mental-health issue,” said Katsnelson.

“I can’t remember where I heard this (but) if a person has a broken arm, we can’t expect them to win an arm-wrestling content. If they have a broken leg, we can’t expect them to win a marathon,” Katnelson said. “We cannot expect someone with a mental-health issue to act the same way they would act without one. The D.A.’s office has shown that they are willing to listen, learn and help. This is one step closer to achieving justice.”
Islam was indicted on felony counts of attempted arson, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.– A Staten Island couple charged in connection with a fatal shooting at Hotel Richmond were arraigned separately Wednesday in Richmond County Criminal Court, where defense attorneys raised doubts as to who pulled the trigger.
Isolda initially told investigators she had pulled the trigger, then turned the blame on Julio, prosecutors said.

The defense requested video of detectives’ interview with Isolda prior to a grand jury hearing.

Krystal Isolda standing with her attorney, Yan Katsnelson.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Criminal charges have been dismissed against a Brooklyn man accused of threatening to shoot then-Councilman Vincent Ignizio earlier this year in a dispute over property near PS 6 in Richmond Valley.

Douglas C. Auer, spokesman for Acting District Attorney Daniel Master, said prosecutors moved to toss the charges against John DePietro “in the interest of justice” at a Criminal Court proceeding Thursday.

“Although the People submit there was probable cause for the arrest of the defendant on the charges, the People believe they would be unable to sustain their burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt at trial,” Auer said.

He said the court file was sealed and he couldn’t comment further.

DePietro was charged with a felony count of making a terroristic threat and a misdemeanor count of second-degree aggravated harassment, stemming from a phone call he made to Community Board 3 in Rossville on April 27.

Under state law, a person is guilty of making a terroristic threat when he or she threatens to commit a specified offense with the intent of intimidating or coercing the public, influencing government policy or affecting government’s conduct by murder, assassination or kidnapping, and there is a reasonable expectation he or she will carry out the threat.

According to court documents, DePietro allegedly told a receptionist: “PS 6 is sending their excess runoff water onto my property. Ignizio ruined my life, he demolished my house; I can’t develop my property because of him.”

After stating his name and phone number, DePietro allegedly added: “Ignizio took my house; I’m going to shoot him.”

At the time Ignizio, a Republican, was the South Shore’s city councilman.

Yan Katsnelson, DePietro’s lawyer, previously told the Advance his client said “sue” instead of “shoot.”

A source with knowledge of the investigation said DePietro’s statements appear to be related to an abandoned building packed with debris and combustible propane and gas tanks that was demolished by the city in December 2007.

The razing of the structure at 527 Page Ave. in Richmond Valley came as a relief to staff at PS 6, located across the street from the building that had 15 open building code violations.

Katsnelson said he was gratified to reach such a favorable resolution for his client.

“(Thursday’s) events proved that my client was telling the truth the whole time, and he never threatened the councilman or anybody else,” said Katsnelson.

MANALAPAN (WABC) — A man accused of shooting an off-duty New York City police officer made his first court appearance Monday.

The shooting happened after the man apparently found the officer with his estranged wife.

Robert Dunbar made his first appearance in court on several charges; including attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm, his attorney entering his plea.

“We plead not guilty, going for bail reduction,” said Yan Katsnelson, Dunbar’s attorney.
Dunbar’s bail is set at half a million dollars with no cash option and no 10-percent.

He’s accused of breaking into his Manalapan home Friday night, where his estranged wife lives and shooting an off-duty NYPD detective who was visiting Debbie Dunbar.

She ran to this neighbor’s house.

“I was awakened by Debbie banging on the door, she said, ‘Bob shot Lou’,” the neighbor said.

Lou is NYPD Detective Louis Pepe, of the 63rd Precinct in Brooklyn.

Police say Dunbar grabbed Pepe’s service revolver during the struggle and fired, one shot grazing the officer’s shoulder.

Published reports are suggesting a motive of jealousy; That Mrs. Dunbar and Pepe were romantically involved.

“The information my investigators are finding out are saying something different than what’s in the paper,” Katsnelson said.

The neighbor says the Dunbar’s 3-young kids were home sleeping during the altercation.

“I asked Debbie if he was gone, I told my wife to go with her to get the kids,” their neighbor said.

After 20-hours on the run, Dunbar turned himself in Sunday.

His parents and other family were in court Monday.

His mother was reduced to tears when she saw her son on video.

They are trying to raise bail to have Dunbar released.

“He’s doing well, stable, there were reports he was suicidal, but he’s not, he just wants to get out and see his kids,” Katsnelson said.