Cold Case Confession: NY Man Admits Stabbing Woman To Death 29 Years Later, Police Say Cold Case Confession: NY Man Admits Stabbing Woman To Death 29 Years Later, Police Say
Cold Case Confession: NY Man Admits Stabbing Woman To Death 29 Years Later, Police Say Nearly 30 years after a woman was found stabbed to death inside her home, a New York man has confessed to her murder following a DNA breakthrough. Schenectady County resident Stephen Smerk, age 51, of Niskayuna, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the November 1994 killing of Robin Lawrence in Springfield, Virginia, police announced Monday, Sept. 11. The 37-year-old mother was found dead from multiple stab wounds three days after the killing, on Nov. 20, 1994, according to police. Her 2-year-old daughter was also found in the home days later, unharmed. Investigators devel…
Cold Case: Capital Region Man Confesses To Grisly 1994 Murder, Police Say Cold Case: Capital Region Man Confesses To Grisly 1994 Murder, Police Say
Cold Case: Capital Region Man Confesses To Grisly 1994 Murder, Police Say A 51-year-old man from the region has been arrested in a Virginia homicide, cracking a 29-year cold case, authorities announced. Schenectady County resident Stephen Smerk, of Niskayuna, is facing second-degree manslaughter in the Nov. 20, 1994 death of 37-year-old Robin Lawrence, who was found dead in a Springfield, Virginia home, Fairfax County police said. Smerk is believed to have stabbed Lawrence inside of her home, when he was 22 years old, authorities said. In 1994, a DNA profile was developed; however, at the time there was no match in any system for the recovered DNA. In the …
‘Much Deserved’: Popular Cafe In Capital Region To Be Featured On 'America's Best Restaurants' ‘Much Deserved’: Popular Cafe In Capital Region To Be Featured On 'America's Best Restaurants'
‘Much Deserved’: Popular Cafe In Capital Region To Be Featured On 'America's Best Restaurants' A popular cafe in the region known for its impressive breakfast and lunch menu is about to get its 15 minutes of fame. Schenectady County restaurant Lily’s Cafe, located in Glenville at 181 Freemans Bridge Road, is set to appear on “America’s Best Restaurants,” which highlights independently owned eateries across the country. Filming will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 29, the restaurant announced on Facebook. Episodes typically touch on popular dishes and the history of the business, and provide viewers with a peek inside the kitchen. An interview with owners Scott and Beth McGlauflin is al…
These High Schools Rank No. 1 In Their Capital Region Counties, Report Says These High Schools Rank No. 1 In Their Capital Region Counties, Report Says
These High Schools Rank No. 1 In Their Capital Region Counties, Report Says The grades are in and these Capital Region high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, the following schools were ranked top in their respective county in the website’s 2023 “Best Public High Schools” report: Albany County: Shaker High School in Latham Columbia County: Chatham High School Greene County: Coxsackie-Athens High School Rensselaer County: Columbia High School in East Greenbush Saratoga County: Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park Schenectady County: Niskayuna High School in Schen…
‘Tear Him Girl’: Kidnapping, Torture Of Man Inside Capital Region Home Lands Trio In Prison ‘Tear Him Girl’: Kidnapping, Torture Of Man Inside Capital Region Home Lands Trio In Prison
‘Tear Him Girl’: Kidnapping, Torture Of Man Inside Capital Region Home Lands Trio In Prison Three New York men will spend years in prison for kidnapping a man and subjecting him to nearly 24 hours of torture during which they repeatedly beat the victim, stomped his head, and encouraged a dog to bite him. Long Island residents Dwayne Henderson, age 26, and Danny Harrell, age 21, both of Nassau County, were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in Schenectady County Court on Monday, Aug. 14, following convictions for attempted murder and kidnapping. A third defendant, another Nassau County resident, Dieago Harrell, age 19, of Hempstead, was given 10 years behind bars after being c…
Cook It Yourself: New Eatery In Capital Region With Unique Model Cited For 'Outstanding' Food Cook It Yourself: New Eatery In Capital Region With Unique Model Cited For 'Outstanding' Food
Cook It Yourself: New Eatery In Capital Region With Unique Model Cited For 'Outstanding' Food A new restaurant in the region that lets diners don the chef hat is earning high praise days after opening. Schenectady County eatery Volcano Asian BBQ and Hot Pot, located in Niskayuna at 2309 Nott Street, held its soft opening on Thursday, Aug. 3. “Get ready to ignite your taste buds and embrace the sizzle and simmer of VOLCANO Asian BBQ and Hot Pot!” the company said on Facebook. Under the direction of owner Briana Lin, the restaurant offers up a unique “hot pot” dining experience in which customers prepare their own meals right at their table. Think fondue but with broth instead of ch…
Popular Pizza Guru Pleasantly Perplexed By NY Eatery: 'Never Had One Quite Like This' Popular Pizza Guru Pleasantly Perplexed By NY Eatery: 'Never Had One Quite Like This'
Popular Pizza Guru Pleasantly Perplexed By NY Eatery: 'Never Had One Quite Like This' After trying thousands of pizzas across the country, Dave Portnoy has pretty much seen - and tasted - it all, making his recent visit to a New York pizzeria that left him pleasantly perplexed all the more intriguing. The 46-year-old Barstool Sports founder stopped by Schenectady County’s Slice of Glenville, located in Glenville at 10 Glenridge Road, for his popular “One Bite Pizza Reviews” series on Friday, July 28. His curiosity was piqued right out of the gate. “Oh interesting. It almost looks like a bar pie but bigger,” he says in the video posted on Facebook. “What an interesting look…
Former Student Teacher Raped 16-Year-Old From Capital Region, Jury Finds Former Student Teacher Raped 16-Year-Old From Capital Region, Jury Finds
Former Student Teacher Raped 16-Year-Old From Capital Region, Jury Finds A former student teacher in the region is facing years in prison after raping an underage girl. Nikos Assimakopoulos, age 25, of Albany, was convicted of rape and other charges by a Schenectady County jury on Friday, July 28, following a four-day trial. According to prosecutors, Assimakopoulos began messaging the 16-year-old victim on social media in November 2019, while he worked as a student teacher at Catholic Central High School in Troy. At the time, he was 21 years old and pursuing a degree in English education from the College of Saint Rose. The two eventually met in Niskayuna and r…
Double Homicide Update: Son Killed Mother, Stepfather Inside Capital Region Home, Police Say Double Homicide Update: Son Killed Mother, Stepfather Inside Capital Region Home, Police Say
Double Homicide Update: Son Killed Mother, Stepfather Inside Capital Region Home, Police Say Nearly two weeks after a husband and wife were found dead inside their home in the region, their son has been charged with their murders. In Schenectady County, the bodies of Robert Guillaume, age 73, and Cathy Guillaume, age 65, were found Friday, July 7, inside a Rotterdam home on Fern Avenue, one block east of the Rotterdam Industrial Park. Autopsies showed that they both died from homicides, according to Rotterdam Police. Investigators did not reveal their cause of death. Earlier Report: Double Homicide: Suspect Sought In Killings Of Husband, Wife In Rotterdam On Wednesday, July …
Double Homicide: Suspect Sought In Killings Of Husband, Wife In Capital Region Double Homicide: Suspect Sought In Killings Of Husband, Wife In Capital Region
Double Homicide: Suspect Sought In Killings Of Husband, Wife In Capital Region Police are asking for the public's help after a married couple was found dead inside their home in the region. In Schenectady County, the bodies of Robert Guillaume, age 73, and Cathy Guillaume, age 65, were found Friday, July 7, inside a Rotterdam home on Fern Avenue, one block east of the Rotterdam Industrial Park. Both deaths were classified as homicides following autopsies, according to Rotterdam Police. Investigators did not reveal their cause of death.  No suspects had been arrested as of Thursday, July 13, a police spokesperson told Daily Voice, adding that there is no threat t…
Don't Fall For It: Scammers Posing As Police Officers From Capital Region Don't Fall For It: Scammers Posing As Police Officers From Capital Region
Don't Fall For It: Scammers Posing As Police Officers From Capital Region Authorities are warning of scammers who are posing as police officers from a local agency. In Schenectady County, someone is posing as a member of the Schenectady Police Department and using the name of an active officer, the agency said in a statement on Monday, June 26. On several occasions, the caller has left messages telling people that they are involved in a “legal matter” and leaving a phone number to call back, police said. The numbers given do not belong to the Schenectady Police Department. Investigators said it appears that the calls are coming from outside of the Capital Regio…
'No More Bruises': NY Foster Mom Abused 4-Year-Old Before Boy's Beating Death, Jury Finds 'No More Bruises': NY Foster Mom Abused 4-Year-Old Before Boy's Beating Death, Jury Finds
'No More Bruises': NY Foster Mom Abused 4-Year-Old Before Boy's Beating Death, Jury Finds The wife of a New York man convicted of murdering their 4-year-old foster son not only knew the boy was being abused in the months before his death, but played an active role in it, a jury found. Schenectady County resident Latrisha Greene, age 27, of Rotterdam, was found guilty on multiple charges of perjury and endangering the welfare of a child in Schenectady County Court on Friday, June 23. It came months after her husband, 29-year-old Dequan Greene, was sentenced to the maximum of 25 years to life in prison for second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of the…