Joye Brown

Joye Brown has been a columnist for Newsday since 2006. She joined the newspaper in 1983 and has worked as a reporter, an editor, newsroom administrator and editorial writer.

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+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Jury's quick decision on Spota, McPartland

Throughout the trial, the jury had earned a reputation for promptness, even in tricky weather.

+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Judge mentions Burke 45 times in jury instructions
Judge Joan Azrack sent the jury off to deliberate in the federal trial of Thomas Spota and Christopher McPartland.
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Don't judge Spota for Burke association, lawyer says
"Wanting to help James Burke is not a crime," Thomas Spota's attorney told jurors during summation.
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Defendants formed a cabal, prosecutor says
Lara Treinis Gatz called Spota and McPartland the heads of an organized power center of law and order in Suffolk County.
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: James Burke's lawyer takes the stand
Joseph Conway, attorney for the convicted ex-Suffolk police chief, testified in the Spota-McPartland trial.
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Burke brother says guilty plea was 'tough pill'
The ex-Suffolk police chief's half brother testified he never pressed for Loeb case details, but "it was more my job as a brother to support him."
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Ex-Spota deputy says Burke trash-talked DA's office
Emily Constant testified about resulting tensions that developed between James Burke and Thomas Spota.
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Burke cried at Spota's home, witness says
Emily Constant, Spota's former second in command, testified Wednesday.
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: McPartland, Spota lawyers quiz ex-cop
Ex-Suffolk Det. Lt. James Hickey repeatedly was asked about his cooperation with prosecutors.
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: '[Burke] was scared like I'd never seen him before'
Former Suffolk Lt. James Hickey said, "Burke was fearful that I was cooperating or was going to cooperate."
+ FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS Power on Trial: Ex-cop links McPartland, Spota to cover-up
Former Suffolk police Lt. James Hickey testified about what it meant to be in the "Inner Circle."