Nassau Standard

Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick has voiced her concerns regarding flaws in New York's bail laws following a disturbing case in Babylon. The suspects involved were released under existing bail laws after being charged with the concealment of a human corpse. They were ordered to remain in Suffolk County with GPS ankle monitors.

In response to this, Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, along with colleagues, has introduced new legislation aimed at addressing these issues. The proposed bills would make the crime of body dismemberment/concealment of a human corpse a bail eligible class E felony and create an exception to prevent such individuals from being released, even with electronic location monitoring.

"We must address the glaring gaps in our bail laws that allow individuals suspected of heinous crimes to walk free without appropriate safeguards. Despite GPS monitoring being intended as a less restrictive alternative to custody, New York State's bail reforms categorize it as a custodial condition similar to pre-trial detention, with the same time limitations before an individual must be released," said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick emphasized the need for immediate corrections to the law, stating, "While New York’s bail reforms still need a comprehensive overhaul, this horrific case in Babylon underscores yet another glaring loophole in the law that needs to be corrected immediately. Members of the community should not have to fear that those credibly suspected of such depraved acts may be released back into the community with no way to monitor them."

The proposed legislation seeks to ensure that GPS monitoring is not equated with holding a suspect in custody, providing a more robust system for monitoring individuals accused of serious crimes.