Dad gets life for beating infant to death in her bassinet

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 14- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced that convicted murderer Lawrence Johnson has been sentenced to a maximum term of up to life imprisonment in the fatal beating of his three-month-old daughter in December 2006.



The 31-year-old Johnson, of 924 East 181st Street, the Bronx, was found guilty in February 2012 of one count of Murder in the second degree for killing Jayla Omari Mystique Johnson.



Acting State Supreme Court Justice Peter Benitez sentenced Johnson to a term of 25 years to life imprisonment for the depraved indifference murder. Johnson must serve a minimum of 25 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.



In the early morning hours of December 1, 2006, Johnson killed his daughter by punching her multiple times in the head while she slept in her bassinet at their home at 924 East 181st Street, the Bronx. Jayla was found dead in the morning by her mother.

On December 2, 2006 Johnson confessed to killing his daughter, but subsequently testified at trial that she could have been injured through a series of accidents and that he was forced to confess to her murder by the police.



The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Militano of the Child Abuse/ Sex Crimes Bureau.

 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cougar Gate!

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Cougar Gate!: Could This Be The End For The Rivera Dynasty? (Facebook photos of Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera with her boyfriend/staffer and another...

Cougar Gate!

Could This Be The End For The Rivera Dynasty?

(Facebook photos of Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera with her boyfriend/staffer and another with an unidentified woman.)

By Robert Press

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- Could Cougar Gate torpedo the Rivera political dynasty? The fallout from a Facebook page showing Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera in skimpy clothing and talking about her boy toy have constituents wondering if the Morris Park pol’s days are number. 

In addition, officials are looking into why the elected official put her “Hunky Babe,” on payroll for her office even though he worked full time for the Department of Education. 

In what could be larger than the Congressman Weiner scandal, a Sunday New York Post article exposed a secret Facebook page that Bronx Assemblywoman Naomi D. Rivera had where she is just known as Daniela Rivera her middle name. The Post article says that the Facebook page is devoted to a man complete with dozens of photos of her in various poses with her “Hunky Babe,” who was put on her payroll as a full time staffer (according to NYS Comptroller DiNapoli's office, and Assembly records) while he was a full time teacher in Brooklyn. 

The Post article also shows a photo of Assemblywoman Rivera dressed in skimpy clothes with another woman. The Post article continues to say that the man is now seeking a soon to be vacant City Council seat in Williamsburg Brooklyn. It is said that the man did not return calls, and the Post says that Assemblywoman Naomi D. Rivera denied that he had a no show job, but did not respond to requests for an accounting of his work and hours. The Facebook page in question has since been taken down.

We have been told to look into Assemblywoman Rivera's expense reimbursements, because we were told that she may have put in for expenses when she was not in Albany. We tried calling her office and could not get any comment by our deadline. We also called several of Assemblywoman Rivera’s supporters on the Facebook article, again not getting much more than no comment, so she has a Facebook page, and most people do. An interesting curve here is that early last week we were told by a colleague of hers that her father Assemblyman Jose Rivera was in Florida. We were wondering why her father, who also has a primary less than one month from now, would be out of town. We were told that he was at the home of a close friend resting from the stress of several things that has occurred the past two weeks. We called Assemblyman Jose Rivera's office and were told that yes he was in Florida, and was okay when we asked about his health.

There are people who now are calling for not only Assemblywoman Naomi D. Rivera to resign, but also for her father Assemblyman Jose Rivera to step down. The elder Rivera boasted on NY1 Noticias “Pura Polital” that among other things that he wants to run for the city council next year to increase his pension. A city council member makes up to $50,000 a year more than an assemblyman. 

Go to my blog at www.100percentbronx.blogspot.com for the link to the New York Post article on Naomi Daniela Rivera.

Women Shine in Tennis Tourney

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- The 20^th anniversary of the Bronx Open, a USTA Pro Circuit tennis tournament played at the tennis courts in Crotona Park, was celebrated last week. The prelude to the U.S. Open, the only Grand Slam event hosted in the United States, which will also be played in New York City, is a drawing card to young women pros from all corners of the globe.

The 32 entrants in the main singles draw included players from 13 nations in the continents of North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia. Thus, the Bronx, as its history reflects, welcomed women from throughout the world.

The players competed to raise their rankings and earn a share of the $50,000 in prize money by their success in the tourney. They also came to sharpen their skills in competition on the same surface and in the sane weather conditions as the U.S. Tennis Center in Flushing, where the U.S. Open will be played two weeks after the Bronx tournament concluded.

Romina Oprandi of Switzerland lived up to her first seed position by capturing the title and winning the $7,315 in prize money with a victory over a former Bronx champion (2001, Anna Chakvetadze of Russia, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, in the final. After the first set, it appeared as if Chakvetadze was on her way to be the only woman to be a two-time winner of the event. Both reached the exalted final game by defeating young Americans, Chi Chi Scholl (20) and Alison Riske (22) in the semis. Oprandi’s victory was her second tournament win within the past month. It was her 22^nd ITF title.

The doubles final was a clash between two Japanese twosomes. The second seeded team of Shuko Aoyama and Erika Sema defeated the team of Eri Hozuma and Miki Miyamura in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Residents of the Bronx and tennis fan visitors were able to see professional tennis free of charge with the only exception being the final on Sunday afternoon, which charged a nominal fee of $10.

Youngsters, ages 6-18, were able to learn or improve their tennis skills with free tennis lessons that were given every afternoon of the tournament from 5-7 p.m. The Thursday session, as it is every year, was the special Kid’s Day. The annual Around the World Parade and other festive children’s activities took place.

The sponsor of the week-long event was Emblem Health.

The health maintenance organization has sponsored the tournament through 18 of its 20 year existence.

Highlanders Train Future All Stars

By Deigo Mack

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- Recently, I had a chance to spend a day with Bronx Highlanders Baseball Academy (HBA) founder Joe Cisco Sr. After seeing his team in action, I came away impressed with a local sports program and recognized an undying dedication to Bronx youth.

In fact, for over 20 years, in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx, Coach Joe Cisco Sr. has built a baseball program with an emphasis on character and mental preparation rather than winning championships. Sound odd? Go figure.

Cisco explains “Winning isn’t everything because after you win a ballgame, it’s destined your going to lose one sooner or later. And then, what? Here at Highlander Baseball, we believe losing is more important than victories. Think about it. How else would we know our capabilities unless we lost a game or two? After that, you make adjustments and be thankful someone taught us our weak points.”

So regardless of the scoreboard, HBA remains a winner both on and off the field. The biggest example is Coach James Cisco Jr., the founders’ son, whom played baseball at Fordham University. Nowadays, the younger Cisco coaches the Highlander’s 17-year-old traveling team for his Dad, making HBA, a family affair.

Even players say the camaraderie is genuine. Talented St. Raymond’s High School pitcher Malik Dixon said, “I wouldn’t be the pitcher I am today without Highlander Baseball Academy and I owe it all to Coach Joe and his son.”

Even hard hitting third baseman Miles Semetis stated, “We learn so much about life from Coach Joe and Coach James, baseball becomes easier. They teach us about hard work, dedication and staying the course.”

For instance, it is common for HBA players to participate in off season training: batting cages, weight training, fielding instruction, and other developmental drills are worked on during winter months.

In the summer, it is baseball tournaments and high school showcases for HBA players. Their results speak for themselves. Highlander Baseball Academy is responsible for sending over 50 kids to college and minor league franchises since 1990.

Joe Sr. said, “I’m 64 years old. My son has energy to travel…I don’t. Plus, Junior knows the program inside out…he lived it. I enjoy watching him coach, he makes me so proud.”

Sitting in the dugout, Joe Jr. leads HBA into the future with designer shades on. He offers coded encouragement to his players between innings, which proves you’d have to be inside Bronx Highlanders Baseball Academy to understand its lingo.

But the day wouldn’t be complete without a last word from HBA founder, Joe Sr. who says “Remember winning isn’t everything, our goal is to get kids to college.”

Looking over numerous college scouts and press interviews of his players, it seems his formula is working. Training, Education and Exposure is Highlander’s motto.

It’s a job well done.

visit www.eteamz.com/HighlanderAcademy  Facebook.com/Highlanders Training Academy

e-mail Deigo Mack: Deigomack@yahoo.com

Sweet Revenge for Red Bulls

(Photos by Ken Carozza)

Italia Soccer Calcio 2012 sippy cup (Google Affiliate Ad)

Euro 2012 Football/Soccer White T-Shirt White T-Shirt by CafePress (Google Affiliate Ad)Franklin Competition Soccer Goal (Google Affiliate Ad)

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- The Red Bulls served up sweet revenge at home in their new Newark Stadium. After losing 2-0 to the Dynamo in Houston, the Red Bulls returned the favor. On Friday they beat Houston 2-0.

After a scoreless first half. The Red Bulls came on strong on the second half with goals from Juan Gunnar Solli and Tim Cahill. The Bulls moved into second place with the win.

Pols, Residents Celebrate Night Out

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 10- City Council candidate Andy King headlined a group of dignitaries attending Tuesday night's National Night Out at the Section 1 Greenway, working the crowd and engaging leaders of civic organization in discussion about how life in Co-op City could be improved.

King, a long-time leader of the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) in the Baychester/Edenwald area, interacted easily with Winston Dinkins, a long-time leaders of the Zodiacs Track Team, and Lorraine Rohlsen-Alexander, a founder and long-time leader of the Co-op City Tennis Club.

The candidate, the frontrunner in the contest to succeed Larry Seabrook as Councilman for the 12th Councilmanic District, promised to help Dinkins realize his dream of a track along Co-op City's Section 1 Greenway and to assist Rohlsen-Alexander in efforts to improve conditions at the community's tennis courts.

Those attending Tuesday night's National Night Out, a time to celebrate the solidarity among shareholders in the fight against crime, included Helen Atkins, president of the Riverbay board; Daryl Johnson and Al Shapiro, members of the Riverbay board; Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and Rep. Eliot Engel.

In addition to politicking, Tuesday's Night Out was a time for Co-op City shareholders to get to know one another and to celebrate their common bonds.

For Melanie Fournier and her daughter, Nalani, 7, it was a time to enjoy refreshments that management and community organizations provided and to enjoy a beautiful night out together with each other and with friends in the local community.

“We've got a good thing going in Co-op City,” said City Councilman James Vacca, a former District Manager of Community Board 10 who represents Throggs Neck, County Club, and Pelham Bay in the Council. “However, we have to be concerned that the NYPD is down 7,000 officers since 2001.”

Rohlsen-Alexander, for her part, pointed with pride to what the Co-op City Tennis Club has accomplished in the local community over the last 25 years. Tea Braxton, 12, Leah Bentham, 10; Iaminie Stokes, 13, and Kyra Aska, 13, were there to lend their support to the tennis club that has meant so much to them over the years.

Rohlsen-Alexander, who has lived in Co-op City for 41 years, stressed, “It's wonderful that we can have a celebration, like this National Night Out, in our own backyard. It's wonderful that we have come together to interact and join in the fight to maintain Co-op City's safe and beautiful environment. We, as shareholders, should appreciate what we have and resolve to maintain it.”

Faye Bentham, a grandmother of Leah Bentham, a Co-op City Tennis Club member, stressed, “I have lived in Co-op City for 20 years, and I like the environment. Three generations of our family have, for years, lived in this community. The National Night Out gives us a chance to get together with our friends and neighbors and to celebrate what we have in Co-op City.”