iradiophilly | News - Jonathan Josey Found Not Guilty; Murder Charge in Hatboro Baby Death; NJ Online Gambling Bill Today

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Jonathan Josey Found Not Guilty; Murder Charge in Hatboro Baby Death; NJ Online Gambling Bill Today

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 02/26/13 2:17 pm | updated: 02/26/13 2:17 pm

The verdict is in for former Philadelphia Police lieutenant Highway Patrolman Jonathan Josey. Judge Patrick Dugan handed down a verdict of not guilty for the sole charge of simple assault in the non-jury bench trial. Josey was accused of punching 39-year-old Aida Guzman in the face at 5th and Lehigh during celebrations after the Puerto Rican Day Parade on September 30th. The incident was caught on video and posted on the internet causing community uproar and cries of excessive force. Guzman was arrested that day for disorderly conduct but those charges were dropped. Josey testified that Guzman had refused to drop a bottle of beer in her hand and went to knock it out. He was â€œshockedâ€ when she went to the ground when his hand hit her face. The judge said the incident caught on video was troubling but there was more going on than what was shown on the video, calling the situation â€œchaosâ€ and â€œvolatile.â€ Police reported that members of the crowd were spraying them with beer and silly string as they were trying to perform their duties. Josey lost his job as a result of the community protest stemming from the video. He will likely seek reinstatement.

The New Jersey state Assembly and Senate are both expected to approve the a bill that would make NJ the third state to legalize online gambling, joining Nevada and Delaware. The new version of the bill takes into account some changes Governor Christie asked for when he vetoed the previous bill earlier this month, including a 10-year trial period and a higher tax rate. Online gambling allows patrons to set up an account with Atlantic City casinos and play any games offered, including electronic versions of table games and slots. Some people see it as being too easy to blow through money and others just prefer making the trip to AC for the atmosphere, ambience, and amenities. The state hopes it will help drive more revenue from gaming in the wake of competition from Pennsylvania's casinos. The vote today is scheduled for 2pm. Governor Christie is planning to sign this bill as soon as it gets to his desk. It could take a year to get online gambling fully up and running in the state.

UPDATE: New Jersey legislators have approved the bill to legalize online gambling in the state with the updated provisions recommended by Gov. Christie. Christie is expected to sign the bill which includes a 10 year tryout and 15% tax rate. Servers will be located within Atlantic City casinos and gaming restricted to within the state.

Montgomery District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman says that 28-year-old Upper Moreland man Edward Doyle will be facing upgraded charges of third degree murder. He was arrested and held on $1 million bail on child endangerment charges Sunday morning after his 2-month-old daughter Makayla was found unresponsive, injured, and pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital. Doyle admits to having been out late with friends drinking heavily the night before. Early Sunday morning the baby was crying and Doyle said picked her up but tripped and fell, landing on top of the child. He believed she was ok at that point and put her back in her swing. Doyle called 911 when he found that child unresponsive a few hours later. He allegedly told police he should not have been caring for the child because he drank too much. The DA said today at a press conference that Doyle murdered the baby in a "drunken rage," and "maliciously and recklessly" killed his daughter. The autopsy found that the baby's nose was pinched making it difficult to breath. There were also bruises to her forehead and cuts on her nose. They believe that Doyle's story of tripping is a lie to cover up this crime and his actions.