Interesting turn of events tonight at the Grand Island Court.
I talked to the DA and he informed me that Zelonis was going to plead guilty to charges of Harassment instead of aggravated harassment, this would be a “Violation” instead of a misdemeanor. In other words a slap on the wrist for harassing me through emails for 23 months. I agreed just to get this over with, this now is going on 3 years with out any kind of conclusion and tonight I hoped it would be concluded.
For all these months David Zelonis has evaded me, would not make eye contact even when I had to give him my toll dollar. Tonight When Mr Zelonis arrived at the court some 45 minutes late, he was bold as he walked up the stairs into the court room. He stared at me with a look of contempt like he was blaming me for causing his delima. He continued on into the court room. I stayed out in the hallway waiting to be called in. I thought this would finally be over in a short time, finally after almost 3 years.
In short order Zelonis’s lawyer stood in front of the judge Sybil Kennedy the next thing I know they were walking out of the court room right toward me and the channel 2 reporter and cameraman, Ken Hamilton and the reporter from the Grand Island Dispatch. The stopped and got interviewed, during the whole time the Lawyer was being interviewed Zelonis stood there staring at me. I said nothing to him, all he did was stare with contempt.
As they walked away the stare continued, he onl stopped when he had to turn to walk down the stairs. As he did he opened his coat and exposed an American flag up toward me. At that point I simply said, “are you trying to say your patriotic?” he said nothing and walked away.
This turn of events was caught on Channel 2’s camera. You will have to see it. For close to 23 months this man threatened to run me over, burn down my house and invite me out into the ring. So this has dragged on for close to 3 years and the saga continues.
This time it appears Zelonis and his lawyer did not like the punishment the judge was going to give him. The max is 15 days in jail and a hefty fine. Is that what happened? The DA thinks it might be, he had no idea that it was over. I stood there confused and once again let down as Zelonis walked out the door again. Court continued to December 2nd.
What happened at the thruway authority hearing? Maybe Donna Luh knows. Surely no one has informed me. Is it time for the State Police to investigate? They are after all the policing agency for the Thruway Authority and serve at the behest of the governor. What say you Governor Paterson? Are we going to see a conclusion to this or will Zelonis continue to gop after me? After his stares down session tonight, I feel all the more uncomfortable.
The Thruway Authority answers to no one.
Rus Thompson
This intimidation by this toll collector must stop. I think a picture of this Zelonis should be put out there for us Islanders to see. We can let him know he must stop this intimidation of Russ Thompson. It seems the thruway is not telling him to stop.I am not even sure the courts are stopping him. Russ Thompson is a decent man, this must stop before this Zelonis really does hurt someone.