Barker pleaded guilty to reckless driving, an unclassified misdemeanor, and the more serious reckless endangerment misdemeanor was dropped. But a sentence also should reflect a defendant's conduct and the impact on the victims, Schmidt said, adding that he saw no sign Barker's victims were consulted about the sentence. Distracted driving is dangerous driving and comes with serious consequences, then-State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said during one publicity blitz heading into the summer of 2018. We directly contribute to those in need, including children with cancer, a mission that is very close to our heart. I love how EVERY comment is edited by staff. The department did not identify Spina by name in an initial release, but confirmed his identity in a follow-up email. In the description of the video on YouTube, the man alleges that Spina threatened to throw him off the bridge if he were to come across him again. Barker was terminated in August 2020, the comptrollers records show. Competitive retail energy is a vital, long-term solution capable of transforming Connecticuts energy market in a way that benefits consumers, Behind Nika Mhl's surprise call from UConn great Sue Bird, Cannabis advocates protest CT's recreational-use rollout, CT SPCA volunteers 'humbled' as hundreds file to adopt pets, Warrant: Ex-CT 'lunch lady' sent nude pics to student for months. I got pulled over for speeding when I was 21 home on leave from Iraq in 2003. From Search and Rescue to Enforcement, they truly Protect our Nation. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Correctional Officers are represented by the Thin Gray Line. We cant waive that.. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. The fear of art ends now. The speedometer still said 73 when the Dodge Charger rear-ended a slow-rolling minivan near the Dunkirk exit. End censorship. Breaking news alerts - delivered to your inbox - the minute we put it online. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, God Bless America & the Laws that prevent Art & Free Speech Censorship. In the video, posted on YouTube Monday, the trooper is seen cursing at a man who was allegedly speeding on the span also know as the Q bridge in New Haven. When a pin has two pin posts it can be worn straight, will not rotate upside down and won't fall off easily. Sen. Mitch McConnell got it right. The states Vehicle and Traffic law exempts the drivers of emergency vehicles from certain rules of the road, and makes it more difficult to prove negligence, when they are responding to an emergency, even if they rear-end a car in front of them. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Seconds later, Spina yells: Mind your own god damn business. One text thread, the investigator said, had over 350 text messages commencing at 4:55 a.m. and until a final text message was viewed by Trooper Barker at 1:02.44.. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). We have the largest selection of U.S. In the video, posted on YouTube Monday, Trooper Matthew Spina is seen cursing at a man who allegedly was speeding on the span also known as the "Q" bridge in New Haven. Once I realized it was a police officer, I pulled my hand back in. The governors office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. In the 2019 crash near the Thruway's Dunkirk exit, Trooper Barker had been texting throughout his shift, State Police Investigator John J. McCusker wrote in a court document. I am willing to bet Mr. Powell wouldnt be able to cut it. It appears that being a state government employee is a great gig. 0. When political appointees fail to make the safety of our members and the public their top priority, failed to preserve the history of the State Police, or make decisions based on preserving their own position, then we cannot in good conscience support them, union president John Castiline wrote in a letter Tuesday. An internal affairs investigation is underway. The trooper becomes irate after Jette questions him about the stop. You have permission to edit this article. The trooper was removed from working with the public and placed under investigation after a video of him berating a motorist in an expletive-laced rant on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven was posted on YouTube. A seasoned Connecticut Trooper, Matthew Spina, 19 years of service, deals with a driver with 7 prior arrests, some felonies, including violence and harassment. These distractions are what caused Mr. Barker to fail to observe the slowing traffic ahead, McCusker wrote in documents accusing Barker of reckless driving and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors. When ordering custom coins, you are responsible for any and all trademarks and copyrights. OUR THOUGHT-PROVOKING ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS ARE MEANT TO SPARK CONVERSATIONS AND GET YOUR WHEELS SPINNING! It's a long term and openly-known scam, and hurtful to all ordinary citizens who have to pay for this corrupt bargain. If you want something and don't see it, please ask. God Bless America!!! TheFirst Amendmentof the U.S. Constitution provides significantprotectionto artistic expression and, as a result, severely limits the government's right to censor controversial works including what we create. Even still, that police officer had no reason to do what he did. State payroll records show Spina has nearly doubled his salary in recent years with overtime pay. God Bless America. The trooper, Matthew Spina, pulled over the driver, Kevin A. Jette, on Monday after Jette allegedly sped past him on Interstate 95 near New Haven as Spina was pursuing another car for. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. A Connecticut state trooper has been put on leave after he was captured on camera profanely berating a motorist during a traffic stop. Threats of harming another Spina loudly explains that a car tailed him then passed him and the driver flipped him off while he was following a tractor-trailer looking for a violation. The vote produced similar results of no confidence in Commissioner James C. Rovella of the Department of Emergency Services, the state agency that oversees the force, and Lt. Col. John Eckersley. Look at the over-generous pay given to the various college employees. The trooper hit the brakes at 81 mph, but it was too late. The video, which has been viewed more than 300,000 times, shows the tense exchange that ensued. He was suspended, but was collecting about $95,000 a year in salary, according to the state Comptroller's Office, when charges were lodged against him in December 2019. It turns out that in at least the last five years Spina has been working so much that his overtime earnings have nearly equaled or exceeded his base annual salary of almost $100,000. The vote . Trooper blamed for 2019 crash that paralyzed two was on his cellphone, investigator says. Theres no fine., You do have to pay the $93 surcharge, the judge said. He was acting like a loose cannon, Jette said. The purpose of our challenge coins are to educate the public as well as the ranks of law enforcement personnel on the positivity of policing. Spina let the motorist go without issuing a ticket. This newspaper knew this ages ago but no one in Hartford listens. He is working full time as a St Polce Trpr Frst Class. percent higher than average Many of our coins that use elements from popular culture are created as a parody. We are a privately owned enterprise who engages in creating works of art in the form of Law Enforcement and Military Collectibles. He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press. Regular price $18.99 Sold out - + Add. Trooper Barker never faced a charge as serious as assault, and his criminal caseended quickly. The driver interfered with the Troopers pursuit of a motor vehicle and unknown to Trooper Spina, apparently baited him and subsequently filmed the contact. Cloudy with rain and snow in the morning. A portion of every sale is donated to non-profits who support border security, police personnel, and more. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? The Caravan and its passengers, meanwhile, were launched into a full 360-degree rotation and came to rest 155 feet away. You couldnt leave it alone, could you? Free shipping Free shipping Free shipping. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. compliance. In the video Spina expresses contempt for the public he polices, and he rejoices that he has only 14 months to go until retirement. When arraigned less than a month later, on Jan. 16, 2020, a deal had already been worked out. It appears Spina is ready to return to his police vehicle when he asks the driver for his marijuana. Then, just 52 seconds before the impact at 1:04 p.m., Barker opened aFacebook page, according to McCuskers statement. This is a carousel. The judge agreed that all five occupants suffered serious injuries: Spinal injuries to Timothy McCann and George Cole, who now lives in Farmington, led to paralysis; Terrance Marsha, of Orchard Park, has limited use of his right hand and wrist; David Jordan now has limited use of his right shoulder, wrist, hand, ankle and knee; driver Harry Gibbons, of Irving, suffered two broken ribs and in a deposition said his legs continue to bother him. The man allegedly showed unhappiness with Spinas driving before the stop, saying Spina was following another car too closely. This salary In fact, our custom coins start at just $450 for 100 and that includes mold and shipping.We also have some options that you can customize and order just 25 coins.We started this business because we were tired of over paying for coins and now we are proud to be able to help others like us save money and get great coins.Email us: CustomCoins@AmericasFrontLine.comOur products are works of art and our creations are not approved, endorsed, sponsored, nor authorized by, or associated with any agency, department of government entity. CLICK HEREThankful to have laws that protect artistsOur products all start with an idea which becomes a sketch. His views are not necessarily the newspaper's. Ned Lamont, according to a letter from the state police union's leadership. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. By submitting your design, you warrant that you have the legal right to reproduce (or have reproduced) any logos or images associated with your order. States have to go bankrupt in order to legally get rid of the Golden Pension Club. That artwork is then made digital by the artist who creates these unique pieces. Still, the state trooper was busy on his cellphone one summer day as he sped toward traffic backed up on a straight and flat section of the Thruway. Dont you ever f--- with me again, Spina can be heard saying as he leaves. All were injured to some degree. Shop the largest collection of Correctional Officer Collectibles in America. We have also recently launched a resiliency program to help all our employees dealing with this pandemic, Mellekas said. The first trial, focused on Cole's case, is scheduled for Sept. 13, a spokesman for the Court of Claims said. I was respectful the entire time and never had hard feelings against the trooper.