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William Keahon, the attorney representing Southampton Town Supervisor Linda Kabot in her upcoming DWI trial, will also represent the two officers who were suspended from the Westhampton Beach Village Police Department during their future disciplinary hearings.
Mr. Keahon confirmed Monday that he will be representing Westhampton Beach Police Officers Michael Bruetsch and Joseph Pesapane. Both officers were suspended, with pay, by Mayor Conrad Teller on October 21 after the Suffolk County Police Internal Affairs Bureau concluded that they lied to superior officers and investigators about the circumstances surrounding a fellow officer’s missing handgun, which was later recovered.
A date for the disciplinary hearings has not yet been set, according to Mr. Keahon. The officers are still suspended as of this week.
An internal memo that summarized the conclusions of the investigation, and was obtained by The Southampton Press from an anonymous source, determined that “the allegations of three counts of conduct unbecoming [of an officer] and five counts of lying/false statement” filed against Officer Bruetsch were “substantiated.” The same report states that Officer Pesapane provided “a false statement when questioned regarding whether he had communicated with anyone about the incident” prior to being interviewed by internal investigators on June 16. Investigators with the Suffolk County Police Internal Affairs Bureau also determined that the allegation of lying/false statement filed against Officer Pesapane “be classified as substantiated.”
Ms. Kabot was arrested by Westhampton Beach Village Police on Labor Day and charged with DWI, a misdemeanor. Her trial is scheduled to begin on December 10.
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Total comments by TocoToucan: 1
Hopefully, talented and adequate counsel will be retained to uphold what many local citizens believe is a hard-working, reputable organization.
Total comments by JimmyKBond: 111
I have been critical of William Keahon's close persona relationship with DA Tom Spota dating from the time they both were junior prosecutors; particularly in regards to the Tankleff case.
However, Mr. Keahon is one of the top echelon attorneys on Long Island. He has made a career out ... more of defending police officers who deserve a good defense as much as anyone else (maybe more so). I say that as a former police union official and from my own personal experience. Mr. Keahon was an excellent choice of attorneys for Linda Kabot and for these 2 police officers. Police officers can fall victim to political expediency as much as civilians. I know I would hire Mr. Keahon in a second if the need should arise and the way things are going................................................
Total comments by Integrity Party Guy: 15
One thing is for sure. The Village of Westhampton Beach Police Department will be subjected to scrutiny it has never experienced. No doubt there will be some unfair innuendo, the real question outside that Riverhead Town Justice Court, is whether there are other challenges to the integrity ... more of the Department that will warrant further examination of this department and ALL of its personnel.
Total comments by Publius: 284
"...whether there are other challenges to the integrity of the Department that will warrant further examination of this department and ALL of its personnel."
Examples?
Total comments by Pedro Salazar: 8
However, once people have to start raising their hands and taking an oath lots can happen. That is particularly the case when that oath is followed by examination from an attorney that has a lot of experience both as a homicide prosecutor and now as a defense attorney. He knows the good the bad and the ugly from both ... more sides.
In the end, maybe all concerned will withstand scrutiny.
Maybe, there will be small corrective measures needed to prevent future errors like missing video footage from the Kabot arrest, and missing video footage from the police locker room where the gun allegedly went missing.
Maybe, a defense lawyer serves as a conduit for all previously unspoken gripes (justified and unjustified) that are then aired in court if it advances his clients' purposes.
There are a lot of "maybes" and these will no doubt weigh on the minds of everyone noticed to testify.
Trials and Article 75 hearings can have a sanitizing effect.
Total comments by Publius: 284
Total comments by Bayman1: 128
Read the above -- no accusations, nothing solid, but a recitation of unsubstantiated allegations.
Total comments by Frank Wheeler: 506
Total comments by yearrounder: 148
Total comments by littleplains: 149
Total comments by sayitaintsojoe: 24
Getting back to Linda's case, I am glad she is being tried in Riverhead where I believe she has a greater chance of a fair trial. I have known of Judge Allen Smith for many years. He is a man of integrity and will not be intimidated by anyone; least of all the DA's office. I think Linda will get an impartial hearing and will be acquitted. I will not be in the least surprised if some real "bombshells" come out of this proceeding. I am sure the media knows it and for that reason this trial will be well publicized by the local media as it should be.
Total comments by Integrity Party Guy: 15
Total comments by Bayman1: 128
Tia Smith
attorney
Total comments by tiasmith123: 1
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