GRAND JURY INDICTS TWO STUDENTS

[thelma]

Remember the two boys arrested for bringing a handgun to school and on a school bus on November 26, 2007? Well, they have been indicted on the following charges:

James Ranaudo (17 years old) - 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Degree criminal
possession of a weapon. It was noted the gun he brought to school had been defaced for the purpose of conceament or prevention of the detection of a crime or misrepresenting the identity of such firearm.

Matthew Heinig (18) - 2nd & 4th Degree criminal possession of a weapon AND 1st Degree Reckless Endangerment in connection with firing of the gun (on the school bus - bullet went between two seats and lodged in a third seat).

Are these charges Felonies? If so, these kids are in BIG< BIG TROUBLE!

I have met this James Ranaudo and IMO - he is a "smooth talker" for someone this young.

www.uticaod.com/news/x1126215546

[Swimmy]

Section 120.25 Reckless endangerment in the first degree

A person is guilty of reckless endangerment in the first degree when, under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, he recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person.

Reckless endangerment in the first degree is a class D felony.

Section 265.01 Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree

A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree when:

(1) He possesses any firearm, electronic dart gun, electronic stun gun, gravity knife, switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, cane sword, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, metal knuckles, chuka stick, sand bag, sandclub, wrist-brace type slingshot or slungshot, shirken or "Kung Fu star"; or

(2) He possesses any dagger, dangerous knife, dirk, razor, stiletto, imitation pistol, or any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon with intent to use the same unlawfully against another; or

(3) He knowingly has in his possession a rifle, shotgun or firearm in or upon a building or grounds, used for educational purposes, of any school, college or university, except the forestry lands, wherever located, owned and maintained by the State University of New York college of environmental science and forestry, without the written authorization of such educational institution; or

(4) He possesses a rifle or shotgun and has been convicted of a felony or serious offense; or

(5) He possesses any dangerous or deadly weapon and is not a citizen of the United States; or

(6) He is a person who has been certified not suitable to possess a rifle or shotgun, as defined in subdivision sixteen of section 265.00, and refuses to yield possession of such rifle or shotgun upon the demand of a police officer. Whenever a person is certified not suitable to possess a rifle or shotgun, a member of the police department to which such certification is made, or of the state police, shall forthwith seize any rifle or shotgun possessed by such person. A rifle or shotgun seized as herein provided shall not be destroyed, but shall be delivered to the headquarters of such police department, or state police, and there retained until the aforesaid certificate has been rescinded by the director or physician in charge, or other disposition of such rifle or shotgun has been ordered or authorized by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(7) He knowingly possesses a bullet containing an explosive substance designed to detonate upon impact.

(8) He possesses any armor piercing ammunition with intent to use the same unlawfully against another.

Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor.


Section 265.02 Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree

A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree when:

(1) He commits the crime of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree as defined in subdivision one, two, three or five of section 265.01, and has been previously convicted of any crime; or

(2) He possesses any explosive or incendiary bomb, bombshell, firearm silencer, machine-gun or any other firearm or weapon simulating a machine-gun and which is adaptable for such use; or

(3) He knowingly has in his possession a machine-gun, firearm, rifle or shotgun which has been defaced for the purpose of concealment or prevention of the detection of a crime or misrepresenting the identity of such machine-gun, firearm, rifle or shotgun; or

(4) He possesses any loaded firearm. Such possession shall not, except as provided in subdivision one, constitute a violation of this section if such possession takes place in such person's home or place of business.

(5)(i) He possesses twenty or more firearms; or (ii) he possesses a firearm and has been previously convicted of a felony or a class A misdemeanor defined in this chapter within the five years immediately preceding the commission of the offense and such possession did not take place in the person's home or place of business.

(6) He knowingly possesses any disguised gun.

Criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree is a class D felony.


Section 265.03 Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree

A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree when , with intent to use the same unlawfully against another:

(1) He possesses a machine-gun; or

(2) He possesses a loaded firearm; or

(3) He possesses a disguised gun.

Criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree is a class C felony.

wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/nycriminallaw.htm

[thelma]

Thanks so much, swimmy. These kids are looking at heavy sentences and a good possibilty of going to a State Prison. I'm assuming that because of their age, they can be tried and judged as adults.

What a shame as their young lives will be affected forever if they are convicted of these Felony charges. Again, it will be the families of these two boys that will face the financial consequences for what they did.

[Swimmy]

I don't think you can be indicted unless you're tried as an adult. I don't know that for sure, but the indictments mean they'll stand trial for those alleged crimes.

It's a shame these two idiots decided to carry a gun onto school property and discharge it in a setting that could have killed or seriously injured something. They're lucky they're not standing trial for murder! They knew better than to bring a weapon onto campus. Now they have to face the consequences of their crimes.

[bobbbiez]

and rightfully so.

[thelma]

You are absolutely right, swimmy. It is a miracle no one was injured or killed when that gun was discharged as it went thru TWO seats before becoming loged in a thrd seat. One of these seats was occupied by a young girl!

James Ranaudo is originally from Long Island and just moved up into this area 3 years ago. And as I said, he is a smooth talker and looked me right in the eye and denied being involved in this matter when I questioned him. Since I am a very trusting person, I took him at his word and believed him.

A few weeks later, one night I was searching around the Internet and came across the article about this incident and there was his picture staring back at me. That is when I realized I had been lied to!!!!! I have no use for a liar - especially a 17 year old!

[Swimmy]

That's because mommy and daddy have taught him it's better to lie, you get away with more that way.

[thelma]

Swimmy - back early in my working career, I was a Legal Secretary and one of the lawyers in the firm I worked for was a Criminal Lawyer. I have always remembered the advice we gave us "Never lie especially when you are testifying in Court. A good lawyer will trip you up and you won't remember the lie you just told and your entire testimony will be ignored. Always tell the truth and no one can ever trip you up - no matter how silly your story might sound".

Over the years, I have found this advice to be so true. Just think about it. No matter what has happened, your story will always remain the same - IF you are telling the truth.

His lies have all caught up with him - he is the one going on Trial - not me LOL!

[Swimmy]

Honesty has always been my best policy. It's gotten me farther than most people's lying.

I don't even try. One time, I was out with some friends at a bar. Someone bought us a round of drinks and the bartender gave us chips. She forgot to collect a chip from my friend, who gave it to me to get an extra free drink. I went over and brought my chip and the other one. She looked at me as if I was for real while I explained the situation. My cousin bartended with her and she told him my story. Well you could hear his deep laughs over all the crowd. After he told her that I wasn't trying to score an extra free drink, I was really telling the truth, she signaled me over. She gave me free drinks for the rest of the night, and her number.

Just reinforces to me that honesty in the best policy. So are having manners. But that's another subject.

[thelma]

When I was bringing up my 4 children (2 boys & 2 girls) they knew my position on lying. I told them to always tell me the truth and they had a 50/50 chance that I might NOT punish them. But if they lied to me and I found out they lied, then they would get punished for the deed AND another punishment for lying. They also had to look me in the eye when they were telling me their reason for doing what they did.

They are all grown now with families of their own and none of then can look me in the eye and lie - LOL.

As far as manners go, it only takes a second to say the two most important words - "Thank you" and "Please"!!!!

[Swimmy]

I can't tell you the number of "free" things I have received because people are shocked with my manners.

For example, at a store, someone knocked into this woman and she dropped all her stuff. Not thinking anything of it, I rushed over and helped her out. Coincidentally, she ended up behind me in the checkout line. I didn't have a card that gave me the extra deals. She handed the cashier her card and $40 to pay for my items. I looked at her and told her that I could pay for my own. And she said it was the first time she witnessed a young person help out someone in need without looking for anything in return. She wanted to show her thanks by paying for me.

When I'm on my cell phone, and I'm in a checkout line, I either get off the phone or I put the person on the phone on hold. Most recently, that earned me a free hot chocolate.

[frankcor]

Heh, politeness does pay off. So does acting like Joe Pesci. While in the drive-thru line at McDonald's, the cashier gave my brother and I the senior citizen price for our 2 coffees. When I stopped my brother from going through the window and stopping him from choking her, she gave us the coffees for free.

[Ralph]

Gosh......I haven't paid for a cuppa coffee in so long I don't even remember what one costs!!

[frankcor]

Whoa, Ralph. Are you that menacing a person?

[thelma]

Off Topic - how many have refused to move from the window AFTER they have taken your money for what you ordered and then they tell you to park someplace while they get it ready for you?

My son in law refuses to move! He tells them "This is suppose to be a fast food - so make it fast food; I'm not moving"!!!!!!

Surprise - somehow they manage to get his order together real quick!!!!!-LOL.