Prosecutors on Thursday announced a new program in Nassau County, called Pre-Arraignment Diversion, that would allow some who are charged with non-violent, low-level crimes to have their cases dismissed upon successful completion of the program. Newsday's Cecilia Dowd reports.


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A 5-week-old infant was in need of life support after having been punched, smothered and violently shook, prosecutors said. His father, Vincent DiStasi, 31, has been charged in these crimes. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Inhumane and evil'

The search for human remains continued Thursday in the Manorville area that sources say is connected to the Gilgo killings investigation. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'It's unnerving'

NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland reports from Manorville as police search a wooded area. The search is in connection with the Gilgo Beach homicide investigation, officials say.

On the scene in Manorville 

Rachel Lodice, 21, from Jericho, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to multiple charges after allegedly causing a fatal crash in Massapequa and driving off in a public safety vehicle that had stopped to help the victims, police said. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports. 

'It is unfair'

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Paduch's attorney, in his opening statement, said patients who claimed to be victims were trying to obtain money in civil suits against the suspended doctor. 

Prosecutor: Darius Paduch abused, assaulted patients who needed help with 'private concerns' 

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The alleged founder of the Bloodhound Brims gang was extradited to Long Island from prison in California to face murder, robbery and weapons possession charges. 

Alleged 'godfather' of LI Bloods facing charges

Kim Lilly made several trips in and out of New York to engage in illegal gun trafficking, according to Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

Former Freeport man sold illegal guns from South Carolina in NY, police say

"Karen is a nice girl," Donald Trump said during a telephone call, David Pecker testified Thursday at Trump's hush money criminal trial. "Is it true that a Mexican group is trying to buy the story for $8 million?"

Ex-tabloid boss testifies Trump advised $150G payoff to former Playboy model

Cadaver dogs from multiple police departments joined Suffolk County's specialized K-9s to search a wide swath in the hamlet and neighboring communities for a third day, an effort sources said could last more than a week.

Gilgo search of LI woods expands to thousands of pine barrens acres, neighboring communities

Suffolk County police will still be present at athletic events Thursday afternoon and at school when students return Monday after spring recess, school officials said.

Man who allegedly threatened Islip schools arrested on unrelated charges

The search marked the latest development in the investigation following the July arrest of suspected Gilgo serial killer Rex A. Heuermann, 60, of Massapequa Park.

Gilgo Beach killings: Investigators search wooded area, officials say

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The case of Theresa Sexton's son Terry Long, who was shot and killed nearly two years ago, has gone unsolved. On Tuesday at the Suffolk County Police Department's media room in Yaphank, Sexton asked the public to help find justice for her son's killing. NewsdayTV's Steve Langford reports. 

'Help them bring the people to justice'

A settlement was reached in a lawsuit against the Bay Shore school district in an alleged sexual assault case involving former teacher Thomas Bernagozzi.

Update: Lawsuit against Bay Shore school district

Former CFO of the Schechter School of Long Island got the maximum sentence for stealing $8.4M in school funds. NewsdayTV's Steve Langford reports.

'I will appeal'

A man's life was saved in Coram on Wednesday when his wallet protected him from a bullet. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Life-saving wallet

Michael Brown, Heuermann's Defense Attorney, said he won't be rushed to go to trial. Heuermann's next court appearance is June 18. NewsdayTV's Drew Scott reports.

'He is not the guy'

The children, a 1-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl, were crying in the car when someone saw and called the police. 

Queens mom accused of leaving kids in car while shopping at LI mall

John "Junior" Gotti's wife and daughter pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault after a fight at a high school basketball game in Oyster Bay. 

John "Junior" Gotti's wife, daughter in court

Thomas Valva died on Jan. 17, 2020, after his father, then-NYPD Officer Michael Valva, and the father's fiancee, Angela Pollina, forced him and his brother to spend the night in their unheated Center Moriches garage.

Thomas Valva, 8, died of hypothermia

Jessica Bader, former principal of an East Norwich school, was charged Monday with falsifying job applications submitted to the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District.

Ex-school principal faces charges

The parents are charged with 1-year-old Joseph Adonis' overdose death from a mixture of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, according to prosecutors. NewsdayTV's Steve Langford reports.

'What a rice grain weighs can kill an adult'

Investigators are saying the home was targeted, confirming a similar incident happened 14 years ago during a poker game. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'It's usually a real quiet block. Nothing ever happens here.'

As one of the Babylon body parts case defendants heads back to court on Monday, Newsday's Michael O'Keeffe reports on where we are with this case.

Babylon body parts case: Where are we now?

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