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BENNINGTON The Crime Scene Investigation team from Southwest Vermont Regional Technical School won the high school bronze medal in the national SkillsUSA competition.

On June 22 and 23 in Atlanta, Ga., Sierra Brown, Regan Hurley and Lauren Gervais competed against teams from other states in the annual event that showcases the work of students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. The competition allows students who won at their own state level to vie for recognition on the national stage.

To prepare for the competition, Gervais said the entire team stayed up until 12:30 a.m. studying the night before they competed to go over various CSI topics and procedures that could be a part of the competition.

This studying is in addition to the coursework they completed at Southwest Tech and their previous preparation for the state and national competitions.

The first section of the competition is a written test made out of 50 multiple choice questions. They cover various topics from case law to what type of flies are attracted to decomposing bodies.

A little gruesome, but it helps. Because if theres a certain kind of fly, then thats like, been there for a day or its been there for a week, said Brown.

The second section of the competition involves scenario-based exercises. First, the team had 15 minutes to find, photograph and label the evidence in a crime scene. Then, each team member had about 30 minutes to write a report on what they found.

Gervais said the students were all aggressive with each other, but in a competitive and supportive way.

There were several aspects of the national competition that differed from the state level. The sections of the competition were organized differently and emphasized different skills. The team was told to process the evidence, not collect it. So that was very different for us, said Hurley.

The team also was accustomed to writing more complex narratives for their crime scenes, according to Gervais.

At this point, the team was focused on doing well in the second section of the competition.

If we messed up the first part, we got to do one hundred percent on this part, she said. So we can at least place, like, 20th.

The efficiency of their teamwork was put to the test in the second section. Fingerprint analysis was incorporated into the competition, and it was kind of a surprise thing, said Gervais. Thankfully, Hurley previously took a forensics class and had prior knowledge of fingerprinting. So, she taught us while we were looking at them.

We work really well together, said Gervais. Their leader and teacher, James Gulley, said, They all have a unique skill set that allows the team to be balanced.

The final section of the competition was where I think we really did our best, said Gervais. Each member of the team did something different, and each task played to the team members strength.

Brown took over evidence collection; Hurley did fingerprints; and Gervais handled the blood swab.

We didnt see what each other were doing. But [the tasks were] in little stalls kind of next to each other, said Gervais.

Even though the team worked diligently, they were not expecting such a significant victory. Instead of anticipating a win, they went to the aquarium the morning of the awards ceremony. They spent about 30 minutes getting ready, instead of meticulously getting dressed like they had for the beginning of the competition.

When it was their time to be called on stage, Hurley stood by herself as Gervais and Brown casually got drinks. Another Southwest Tech student called them and urged them to get to the stage as fast as possible, because they won the bronze medal.

Now that the national competition is over, Brown and Gervais have officially graduated. Brown, from Mount Anthony Union High School, plans to become a game warden in Vermont after possibly joining the Air Force and getting her commercial pilots license. Gervais, from Burr and Burton Academy, has aspirations of going to community college and joining the Coast Guard.

Hurley, from MAU, still has one more year of high school before going on to studying forensic psychology. Shes also in charge of choosing the SkillsUSA teammates shell be competing with next year. Gulley believes Hurleys teammates left big shoes to fill.

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Southwest Tech goes to nationals, wins bronze | Local News | benningtonbanner.com - Bennington Banner

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 30, 2022, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Lakewood Township Police responded to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Route 70 for a report of a Toms River Police Department Motorcycle that was involved in a crash.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that a Toms River Police Officer, who was on duty and operating his department issued motorcycle, was traveling eastbound on Route 70 and entered the on-ramp to continue onto New Hampshire Avenue. Shortly after entering the on-ramp, the Officer lost traction with the road surface and dropped to the roadway. In the process, the Officer was ejected from the motorcycle. The Officer was air-lifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. The Officer was treated for his injuries and released.

This appears to be an accident caused by a substance on the roadway that caused the Officer to lose traction and subsequently control of the motorcycle. We are thankful that the Officer involved was treated and released and should make a full recovery, Prosecutor Billhimer stated.

The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit

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toms river motorcycle officer involved in crash - Ocean County Prosecutor Office

Pupils had to investigate the suspicious death of a body as part of their Crime Scene Investigation Day, which was attended by a forensics officer from North Yorkshire Police.

In a day organised by the schools Science department, the investigation included studying hair and blood samples, finger printing, testing fabrics under a microscope, and looking at the science behind gunshot residue.

Sue Ali, Head of Science at Harrogate Ladies' College, said that the day was designed to bring science to life and encourage more girls to think about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects in the future.

She said: It was such an exciting day with a lot of very detailed analysis of tests in a laboratory setting.

"The research was intense and real and an extremely popular day for everyone.

We tried to emulate the process of a crime scene investigation as much as possible and theres a real element of suspense and surprise.

The day was aided by STEM ambassadors who are sixth-form students from the school who are studying Science subjects.

They were also given a talk on careers in forensics and the opportunities in police and detective work.

Mrs Ali added: We set the scene and as the plot unveiled, it became exciting for the different teams to share their research and work out exactly how murders are investigated and ultimately solved.

All the different elements of the investigation were included in the day using the labs and its a great introduction to an exciting array of careers in Science.

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Pupils at Harrogate Ladies' College put their detective skills to the test at CSI Day - Harrogate Advertiser

Linden VFW building destroyed by fire

The Linden VFW building at 20 Pennsylvania Railroad Avenue was destroyed Sunday in a 2-alarm fire. A GoFundMe.com page has been created to help rebuild the city landmark.

~Courtesy of John Roman, MyCentralJersey.com

BOUND BROOK - A state appellate court has ruled that statements made by the parents of a borough man convicted of murdering an Old Bridge man can be admitted as evidence against them on charges they gave false information to police.

In an 18-page ruling Tuesday, the appellate court reversed a Superior Court decision saying that the statements made by David and Cindy Keogh to police on the night that Terrence C. Coulanges was shot by their son Ryan at their home on Farm Lane could not be used against them because they had not been given their Miranda rights against self-incrimination.

Mr. and Mrs, Keogh are facing charges of making false statements to police, hindering apprehension and endangering an injured victim.

In April their son was found guilty of murder in the 2019 incident. He also was found guilty of possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose; hindering apprehension or prosecution;endangering an injured victim;four counts of false swearing;tampering with physical evidenceand unlawful possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine.

The investigation beganat 7:36 p.m.Jan.9, 2019, when the Middlesex Borough Police Department received a 911 call reporting shots firedat aFarm Lane home in Bound Brook.

Bound Brook Police went to the scene and foundCoulanges outside the homewith gunshot wounds to the right thigh and left chest.

Police and medical personnelstartedlifesaving measures.Coulanges wastakento Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswickwhere he was pronounced dead.

An investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Bound Brook detectives found neighbors who said they heard gunshots about 5:45 p.m. that day.

The investigation found thatKeogh, along with his mother, then left the home and went to his father's office in Green Brook. A911 call was placed at 7:36 p.m., an hour and 51 minutes afterCoulanges was shot.

Keough had maintained that he shotCoulanges in self-defense. His lawyers argued that Coulanges came to the house where he was not wanted,a struggle ensued, and he was shot by Keogh.

As police were securing the house and the crime scene, the Keoghs stayed at the end of the driveway. A Middlesex Borough police officer who had responded to the scene told the Keoghs to refrain from talking to each other, court papers say.

The Keoghs were then taken to Bound Brook Police Headquarters in three separate police vehicles to give statements. A detective from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office interviewed each Keogh separately in the company of other detectives. The Keoghs were separated from each other with the father and son in interview rooms and the mother in the lobby.

Crime news:South Bound Brook officer sues ex-cop who allegedly pointed loaded gun at him

The parents gave their statements and they waited in the lobby until the interview with their son ended about four hours later. They were then escorted back home to collect some things because they were not allowed to stay because the scene was still being processed.

After more investigation, the son was charged with murder on Feb. 13, 2019, and his parents were charged the following day.

The parents' lawyer filed a motion to suppress the statements they had given to police because they were not administered their Miranda rights. The prosecutor's office argued that they were "treated as witnesses and not suspects," but a Superior Court judge disagreed and said they should have been given their rights because they did not feel "free to leave" police headquarters.

Local news:Man killed by freight train in Bound Brook, police say

The appellate court disagreed with the judge's ruling, saying that the parents were told they could leave police headquarters after giving their statements but chose to remain until after their son gave his statement. The appellate court ruled that the parents were not subjected to "custodial interrogation" so they did not need to have their Miranda warnings given to them.

The prosecutor's office is charging that the parents gave false statements to the police about the night of the killing.

According to the prosecutor's office, video from a neighbor's security camera and tracking of all three Keoghs' cellphones revealed that their statements to police were false.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

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Court rules Bound Brook parents' statements can be used against them in trial - My Central Jersey

Marijuana use and possession of up to 6 ounces of weed are legal in New Jersey if you are at least 21 years of age.Driving while high isnt.

Pot can be found in your system by a blood test. So if you get into an accident, a court could order you to be tested, especially when that accident causes injuries or fatalities. Thats something Danielle Bowker, 30, of Toms River found out on June 21 when Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced she had been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, two counts of strict liability vehicular homicide and two counts of assault by auto as well as driving while intoxicated.

All of the charges were in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Manchester Township on March 29. At approximately 7:15 that morning, Manchester Township police were summoned to the area of Whitesville Road and Route 571 for a report of a motor vehicle crash with a fatality. It was a four-vehicle crash.

An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Manchester Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that a 2018 Honda Civic operated by Bowker was traveling westbound on Route 571 when she failed to maintain her lane of travel while negotiating a right-hand curve. The Honda Civic then struck a state Department of Transportation Ford F-550 pickup truck operated by Eduardo Rivera, 30, of Hamilton Township, which was traveling eastbound on Route 571; Daniel Septor, 26, of the Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold Township was a passenger in the Ford-550.

As a consequence, the Ford-550 lost directional control and struck a 2012 Toyota Camry operated by Michael Sadis, 48, of Toms River, pushing the Camry off the roadway into an embankment.

The Ford-550 continued in the same direction of travel and struck a 2015 Toyota Corolla operated by Paul Lamberti, 58, also of Toms River.

As a result of the crash, Sadis was pronounced deceased at the scene. Lamberti was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Rivera and Septor were transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of minor injuries.

Bowker also sustained minor injuries from the crash and was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment. While at Community Medical Center, a blood draw was taken from Bowker pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. Laboratory results of Bowkers blood draw, received by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, revealed Bowker had an active THC (marijuana) level of 7 nanograms (ng) with a metabolite THC level of 61ng indicating Bowker was a recent, active user of marijuana at the time of the crash.

Upon reviewing the laboratory results of Bowkers blood draw, the states psychopharmacologist rendered an opinion that at the time of the crash, Bowkers faculties were impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication, and she could not safely operate a motor vehicle.

In light of the foregoing, arrangements were made for Bowker to surrender to Manchester Township Police Headquarters in the presence of her attorney on June 21. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriffs Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Medical Examiners Office for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.

As is usual, the prosecutors office press release ended with this statement:The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven beyond guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

That statement could prove valuable in this case. Bowker and her attorney could mount a vigorous defense if the results of the blood draw are the only evidence the prosecution team has to offer. Marijuana can stay in ones system for a month. The law is still murky when it comes to what level of high constitutes driving under the influence of pot.

All 50 states have established a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or higher as triggering a DUI charge, but there is no single standard when it comes to marijuana DUI charges.

There are at least six states that have legal THC limits, expressed in terms of nanograms per milliliter. Colorado, Montana and Washington have limits of 5ng/ml while Nevada and Ohios limits are 2ng/ml. Pennsylvanias limit is 1ng/ml. New Jersey apparently doesnt have a THC limit on its books.

If Bowker can afford to hire expert witnesses to contest the finding of the prosecutions expert witnesses, such as the states psychopharmacologist, a jury trial could prove very confusing and interesting.

The Ocean County Prosecutors Office didnt respond by press time to an inquiry about the Bowker press release. That inquiry didnt ask if there had been other evidence, such as an admission to using marijuana before driving, the presence of marijuana or drug paraphernalia in Bowkers vehicle, or the testimony of a drug recognition expert a law enforcement officer trained to administer tests to suspected impaired drivers to see in an individual is indeed impaired and if so, to categorize the type of impairment substance following a 12-step protocol. Law enforcement typically doesnt release such information before a trial.

The inquiry simply asked if the there had been a conviction for vehicular homicide in New Jersey based on the results of a blood test alone and attempted to confirm the state doesnt have a THC limit. A long internet search couldnt find either.

One thing is certain: Driving in New Jersey with marijuana in your bloodstream can get you in hot water even if you avoid conviction. An arrest, time in jail, attorney costs they all add up.

And you yourself could be killed.

Rick Mellerup

rickmellerup@thesandpaper.net

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Woman Charged With Vehicular Homicide Because of Marijuana in Her System - The SandPaper