Two residents and their dog evacuated from Avenue C fire
On Feb. 5 at 10:46 p.m., the Bayonne Fire Department responded to 753 Ave. C for a reported building fire. Upon arrival, firefighters witnessed significant smoke and fire venting from the second floor window on the north side of the building. Two occupants, who were home at the time of the fire, self evacuated with their dog prior to the arrival of emergency crews.
Firefighters advanced fire hoses into the building and extinguished the fire that reportedly originated in a second floor bathroom. The bathroom and the exterior building siding were damaged by fire, and smoke and water damage impacted adjacent rooms. The tenants were reportedly watching television on the first floor when they saw the smoke. There were no known injuries. The fire was declared under control in about 20 minutes, and is currently under investigation.
Poetry for Dawid
The Polish Cultural Society of Bayonne High School will host “An Evening of Polish Poetry,” a benefit for Dawid Strucinski, on Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Alexander X. O’Connor Auditorium at Bayonne High School. Admission is $10 at the door. Of the admission, 80 percent will go to help defray costs associated with Strucinski’s recovery costs, and 20 percent will go to support the society. Strucinski was beaten into a coma in Bayonne last July when he tried to break up a fight between two groups of kids.
Jury awards $91G for false arrest
A Hudson County jury awarded $91,167 to Kristie LaScala in the second part of a civil lawsuit alleging that six Bayonne police officers had falsely arrested her during a St. Patrick’s Day Parade brawl in a local bar in 2007.
But the jury also concluded that only one of the six officers had allegedly used excessive force.
The incident evolved out of an alleged dispute between LaScala and a bar employee, in which her fiancé, Edward Sapontzis – who was also a plaintiff in the suit – came to her aid. Police officers allegedly knocked him to the ground, causing injuries to his face. The suit claimed that the officers also injured LaScala, causing a broken arm.
Prior to the verdict, the court dismissed all charges against the city of Bayonne and the Bayonne Police Department. But city officials said the city would assist in the appeal for the one officer, William Peterson, whom the jury ruled had used excessive force.
County officials said the actual pay out could have been significantly greater since the jury award did not cover the cost of legal expenses for LaScala, which must also be paid for by the plaintiff.
Man who hid girlfriend’s body in suitcase is found guilty
Shawn Southerland, 50, of Bayonne, was found guilty last week of murdering his girlfriend, Christine Neely, in April 2007.
Southerland, who chose to have the case decided by a judge but no jury, allegedly attempted to dispose of the victim’s body in a suitcase at the side of a highway. The suitcase was later traced to Southerland, who was pronounced guilty on Feb. 1 by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Francis Schultz. Southerland faces 30 years to life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 16.
Mayor’s evening office hours suspended on Feb. 14
The Office of the Mayor announced that Mayor Mark A. Smith’s evening office hours will not take place on Tuesday, Feb. 14. His evening office hours will resume the following week on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m.