Killer had baggage

Man gets 50 years for stuffing girlfriend in suitcase

DNA from smaller bag he returned did him in

(A medical examiner employee removes the suitcase containing the body of a young New Jersey mother dumped along the Henry Hudson Parkway in 2007.--Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 20- A Jersey City Judge has sentenced a man to 30-years in prison for killing his girlfriend and dumping her body along the Henry Hudson Parkway in 2007.

On March 16, Superior Court Judge Francis Schultz sentenced Shawn Southerland, 50, to 50-years behind bars for the murder of Christie Neely, 36, whose body was discovered in a suitcase along the southbound Henry Hudson Parkway in the Fieldston section, back on April 7, 2007.

On April 1, Southerland was found guilty of strangling Neely in her Bayonne, New Jersey home, as her young son slept in the next room.

The young woman's body was discovered by a highway road crew, removing debris from the roadway.

Southerland, who represented himself during the non-jury trial, must serve the entire 30-year sentence before his release. The convicted killer must then spend an additional five-years under a supervised release.

Southerland, a golf caddy in Bayonne, New Jersey was convicted after being identified by a store manager as the man who purchased and later returned a suitcase that contained Neely's DNA.

The killer had returned to the shop for a larger suitcase, when he apparently realized her body would not fit in the smaller one he originally purchased.

Southerland disappeared after the murder and was found a year later working at a golf course in Pennsylvania under an alias. After the trial it was revealed that Southerland had ten prior convictions over the last twenty-years.  

 

Dandy Andy returns to Yankees

Pettitte out from pasture and into pinstripes again

(Photo by Ken Carozza)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 17- Andy Pettitte considered one of the all-time pitching greats of the New York Yankees is once again putting on the pinstripes. The 39-year-old left hander, ranked third with 203 career wins as a Yankee, signed a one-year minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

The announcement was made early Friday afternoon at the Yankees spring training facility in Tampa Florida. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said Pettitte was en-route from his home in Texas and will join the team this weekend. Cashman said, “It was a welcome opportunity and we are glad to have him back.”

A part of the core four along with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada, with five championship rings as a Yankee, Pettitte retired last year but made references to always opening the door for a return if the situation was right. Prior to the start of spring training, Posada announced his retirement at an emotional press conference in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium.

Last week, Pettitte threw batting practice in a Yankee uniform prior to the Yankees-Braves spring game in Orlando. He felt comfortable and there were reports he made references to returning, and three weeks ago he was in the Yankees camp throwing pitches as a spring training instructor.

At his retirement announcement on February 5, 2011, Pettitte said he “didn’t have the hunger, the drive I felt I needed,” when it came to continuing. But Cashman on Friday alluded that the hunger never left and that Pettitte looked sharp and was ready for a return.

Pettitte agreed to a minor league deal, one-year for $2.5 million with an invite to spring training. The Yankees pitching rotation appears to be set with CC Sabathia, newcomer  Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes and Freddie Garcia. Pettitte could be used out of the bullpen and as Cashman said, “You never have enough pitching.”

The Yankees are expected to reach the postseason again. Pettitte has a history of success in October and is ranked first in wins among pitchers in postseason history with a 19-10 record, 3.83 ERA in 42 career starts. He ranks second in strikeouts and games started in franchise history. His last season in 2010, Pettitte went 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA. He is a three-time all-star and two-time 20-game winner.

In an interview with the Yankees YES Network, Pettitte said about his decision to return, “My family was behind it. I have been throwing since January. My arm is way ahead of schedule. I expect to be as good as I was and If I am not I will be disappointed..”

There is always an issue with athletes retiring and returning. Some say that professional sports leagues should implement rules that would prevent situations like Pettitte or was often with the situation of Brett Favre, the quarterback great of the Green Bay Packers who played one year with the New York Jets.

Many times they return and show no resemblance of what they once were. Jeter has no problem with his former and, now, new teammate back in the fold. Once again three of the core four are in the Bronx.

“I’m happy, he enjoys what he is doing,” commented Jeter. “He is going to work and do the best he can. We are going to have a lot of people excited to see him back including our fans.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): They’re golden

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): They’re golden: Golden Gloves may have changed format but not the champions (Photos by Gary Quintal) By Rich Mancuso BRONX, NEW YORK, March 16-...

They’re golden

Golden Gloves may have changed format but not the champions

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Rich Mancuso

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 16- There was the same ambiance of a New York City Golden Gloves show on the fourth floor at the Empire Casino at Yonkers Raceway. A different venue than the usual neighborhood community center or hall, which benefit from the annual New York Daily News amateur boxing tournament, though nothing changed when it came to the bouts in the ring.

For 85 years this has been described as the most prestigious amateur boxing tournament in the country. More than one champion has been awarded the coveted pair of Golden Gloves which are indicative of success and fulfillment of a journey. The champions are prominent names, many who went on to become successful and prominent professional fighters and champions.

One too many names to mention, however, during the course of this three-month journey to fame more than one former Golden Glove and professional champion returns to offer encouragement. The inspiration to an aspiring champion always seems to mean something when it comes to the sport of boxing. Carlos Ortiz, the Bronx native and former light heavyweight champion, winner twice in this tournament, was at ringside.

But the stars of this show are the fighters of today. From all walks of life they come, representing all areas of the New York City area, with diverse backgrounds. They too aspire to be the next Carlos Ortiz, or Hector Camacho Jr., Iran Barkley, or Aaron Davis, some of the recent Golden Gloves and professional champions from the Bronx.

The finals are at Madison Square Garden March 29^th and 30, in the adjacent Theatre not the main arena. Regardless it is the Garden, an arena known as the Mecca of Boxing, and over 200 aspiring male and female champions who begin this journey in January target a goal to fight at the Garden.

But, change, as is with everything else has also come to this annual event. Once every weight division had their final bouts in the Garden, and for the third consecutive year champions are being crowned earlier and elsewhere. It has nothing to do with crowning champions in two consecutive evenings, or a financial issue reserving the Garden as a venue.

Financial issues have never been a burden with the Golden Gloves. It is a charitable event that assists the various boxing clubs and centers in the New York City boroughs and outskirts,

“You have to fight your way to the Garden,” says Brian Adams, Director of the tournament, the two-time Golden Gloves champion and once an established professional as a super featherweight from the borough of Queens. He has implemented change the last seven years and one that has come under some fire about fighting your way to the Garden.

Adams explains, “Fighting one time and getting to the finals is not the way it should be.” However the draws and match ups allow this to happen, occurring more often with the lower weight classes at 114 and 108 pounds. Some of the female participants confront similar obstacles. A fighter can’t make weight or pass the required physical which causes a bye into the next round.

Either way, it does not matter to the fighters who get to the finals. They get an opportunity to fight for those elite gloves that have eluded so many over the years. And Wednesday night, five final bouts for the third consecutive year were contested away from the Garden mixed in with semi-final bouts.

“I was killing myself to make the weight class and I came in at 105 today,” said Chayanne Rivera of the Willis Avenue Boxing Club. It was his second try at joining this elite group of champions. It was a battle to get the 108-novice title over Alcidez Martinez, though five judges in the three-round two-minute fight gave him the 4-1 decision.

Rivera with tears in his eyes, from the fulfillment of achieving a goal said, “I’m very happy.” He will have to wait, along with four other champions crowned, to get the gloves around his neck in two weeks. Adams will have him in the ring and take in the moment when other champions are crowned after their respective fights at the Garden.

So that perspective of this established and respective amateur boxing tournament has changed. The fights are always competitive, that never changes, and there were no complaints from the 450 or more fans who packed a restaurant area at Empire City for an evening of great boxing.

The 201-pound novice, Joshua Marte of the Aaron Davis Boxing Club will get his opportunity at the Garden. He won another 5-0 decision for the third time this year and advanced to the finals. Davis, the former champion who has three pairs of gloves, and a former WBA welterweight champion now offers his guidance to aspiring fighters in his gym at a new location off East Tremont and Hone Avenue.

“To be here you have to earn it,” says Davis. And whether or not the Golden Gloves are earned in the Garden or elsewhere, this is a tournament that continues with popularity. “I hope to do the same thing at the Garden,” said Marte.

Because it is the stepping stone to possibly becoming the next world champion and rising star in the sport.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Another violent week

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Another violent week: Blotter Notes By David Greene FOOT PURSUIT IN FORDHAM Additional police officers were called to the scene of a foot pursuit by o...

Another violent week

Blotter Notes

By David Greene

FOOT PURSUIT IN FORDHAM

Additional police officers were called to the scene of a foot pursuit by officers at the intersection of E. Fordham Road and Webster Avenue. The incident was reported at 6:35 p.m., on March 12. The alleged suspect was reported to have been captured in a nearby Wallgreens. No details on what the individual was wanted for, were available.

MT. VERNON SUSPECT CAPTURED IN THE BRONX 

Police in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., responded to a person shot at W. Sanford Boulevard, where the suspects reportedly fled in separate vehicles. 

The incident was first reported at  5:25 p.m., on March 11. One of the suspects was reportedly spotted in the Highbridge section of the borough, where the individual was captured near the Macombs Dam Bridge, after a brief foot chase. 

The victim, identified as Rahsul Watkins, 21, was shot two times by a passing vehicle as he rode a dirt bike. Watkins was rushed to Jacobi Hospital where he died a short time later. A 22-year-old suspect was reportedly being questioned in connection with Watkins' death as well as a second homicide in Mt. Vernon.

HOUSE PARTY HOMICIDE IN MELROSE

Police were called to 752 Elton Avenue, at 6:30 a.m., on March 11, and discovered the body of a male victim who had been shot to death. 

Police say the victim Lamont Edwards, 28, had been shot several times. Unconfirmed reports say the man had just left a house party on the street, when the gunfire erupted. Police had no suspects in the case at this time.

DOUBLE SHOOTING ON LEBANON STREET

Police officers responding to a call of shots fired, discovered two victims who had been robbed and then shot. 

The incident unfolded at just before 1 a.m., on March 11, outside of 1189 Lebanon Street, near Morris Park Avenue. The victims were transported to area hospital's and were expected to recover. Police were reportedly looking for five black males, wearing dark clothing and masks. 

Five hours later, a second shooting was reported several blocks away on Boston Road, where two gunmen reportedly opened fire on a city bus, no injuries were reported in that case. Police were looking for the two male Blacks, who fled in a black Ford Expedition. 

PROSPECT AVENUE STABBING

Officers called to a disturbance, discovered a stabbing victim at Prospect Avenue and E. 152 Street. The incident was reported at just before 10 p.m., on March 10. The victim was removed in critical condition and was not expected to survive. Police were looking for six males who fled down Union Avenue.

If you have witnessed or have information on a violent crime, you may give your information anonymously by calling (800) 577-TIPS or TEXT: Crimes. ENTER: TIPS577.    

Ceasefire Over

War to resume if Engel is to become Co-op’s Congressman again

Publisher welcomes fight for cause considered lost

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 14- Christopher Hagedorn, editor and publisher of City News, said, this week, that he welcomes the challenge of resuming his fight against Rep. Eliot Engel even though political observers view the fight as a “lost cause.”

Hagedorn stressed, this week, “I am named after St. Christopher, who was the saint who fought for seemingly lost causes. That's why I consider it a major challenge to fight against Congressman Engel, an elected official who should have been run out of office decades ago.”

Hagedorn added, “We are here to expose Congressman Engel and all the other sleazes who scandalously purport the interests of Co-op City and its shareholders.”

The publisher noted, “We intend to remind Co-op City's shareholders about Congressman Engel's sordid past, and we intend to expose the kind of duplicitous elected official he really is. From our perspective, Congressman Engel is bad news for Co-op City, bad news for New York City, bad news for the U. S. Congress, and bad news for the United States. Now that he seems to be back as Congressman for Co-op City, we are more determined than ever to work for his defeat even though some are convinced that our crusade is a lost cause.”

And so it begins:

Inadequate Congressman poised to represent Co-op

 By Michael Horowitz

It is being kind to refer to Rep. Eliot Engel as an inadequate member of Congress.

Unfortunately, Engel, a sleaze who got his start in politics in our community, seems poised to represent Co-op City in Congress.

Engel, although he was brought up in Co-op City, stopped caring about the local community years ago.

Over the years, our newspaper has shown that he has been a sleaze whose track record has included associating with a shady mob figure and claiming his Maryland home as his principal residence in order to get an illegal homestead tax exemption.

Engel, who makes his home in posh Potomac Village, MD, rarely comes to his district. Through the years, he has maintained a one-bedroom apartment in Riverdale to satisfy the legal requirements associated with representing his Congressional district.

We have been told by some that opposing Engel and his sleaze is a lost cause, but we insist on persisting because we are convinced that the Congressman is bad news.

We will be watching every thing you do, Eliot. We intend to expose you for what you are.