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While a former Greece police chief's lawyer believes that the charges against his client are "bogus," the prosecution contends that the former chief is guilty of all nine criminal charges.
"It fell far short beyond proof without a reasonable doubt; credible proof beyond a reasonable doubt ... is why you should not remove the cloak of innocence from Merritt Rahn," said Merritt Rahn's attorney John Parrinello.
"Merrit Rahn must be held accountable and the evidence shows that," said Assistant District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
Parrinello said that many of the witnesses were unreliable, biased or had an ulterior motive to testify.
He said former Greece Sgt. Robert Trowbridge was the most unreliable. Trowbridge admitted to lying on his timesheets and having conflicting testimony between the grand jury and this trial.
"If you want to be a liar, you have to have a perfect memory," Parrinello said.
In her closing statements, Doorley turned around Parrinello's statement saying that Rahn told people two others things regarding his stolen gun.
"Liars don't have good memories," she said.
Parrinello said Trowbridge may face lesser charges because the prosecution is focused on Rahn.
"We got a biggest fish to fry than you," Parrinello said. "We got the chief, we don't want some sergeant."
Rahn is accused of covering up the June 2008 hit and run of former Greece Police Sgt. Nicholas Joseph, who is in jail after being found guilty of four felonies and two misdemeanors related to the crash. Judge Francis Affronti found Joseph guilty of being high on alcohol and drugs and leaving the scene of the wreck. One of the victims, Alexis Sharp, was pregnant at the time and was forced to deliver her baby prematurely.
Doorley pointed out that there were three calls to Rahn and Joseph following the crash and that Rahn should have acted much sooner.
"The ball was in hs court as chief of police to make sure this investigation was handled correctly," Doorley said.
The prosecution called about 30 witnesses, while the defense called zero.
"In a criminal case, it is the quality of the proof, not the quantity ... it is not a numbers game, ladies and gentleman," Parrinello said.
Parrinello apologized if his behavior offended anyone in the jury.
"If any of you found it over the top on my part, then I will apologize for that, and I will ask you if I have offended you with any of my behavior, please please set that aside," Parrinello said.
While a former Greece police chief's lawyer believes that the charges against his client are "bogus," the prosecution contends that the former chief is guilty of all nine criminal charges.
"It fell far short beyond proof without a reasonable doubt; credible proof beyond a reasonable doubt ... is why you should not remove the cloak of innocence from Merritt Rahn," said Merritt Rahn's attorney John Parrinello.
"Merrit Rahn must be held accountable and the evidence shows that," said Assistant District Attorney Sandra Doorley.
Parrinello said that many of the witnesses were unreliable, biased or had an ulterior motive to testify.
He said former Greece Sgt. Robert Trowbridge was the most unreliable. Trowbridge admitted to lying on his timesheets and having conflicting testimony between the grand jury and this trial.
"If you want to be a liar, you have to have a perfect memory," Parrinello said.
In her closing statements, Doorley turned around Parrinello's statement saying that Rahn told people two others things regarding his stolen gun.
"Liars don't have good memories," she said.
Parrinello said Trowbridge may face lesser charges because the prosecution is focused on Rahn.
"We got a biggest fish to fry than you," Parrinello said. "We got the chief, we don't want some sergeant."
Rahn is accused of covering up the June 2008 hit and run of former Greece Police Sgt. Nicholas Joseph, who is in jail after being found guilty of four felonies and two misdemeanors related to the crash. Judge Francis Affronti found Joseph guilty of being high on alcohol and drugs and leaving the scene of the wreck. One of the victims, Alexis Sharp, was pregnant at the time and was forced to deliver her baby prematurely.
Doorley pointed out that there were three calls to Rahn and Joseph following the crash and that Rahn should have acted much sooner.
"The ball was in hs court as chief of police to make sure this investigation was handled correctly," Doorley said.
The prosecution called about 30 witnesses, while the defense called zero.
"In a criminal case, it is the quality of the proof, not the quantity ... it is not a numbers game, ladies and gentleman," Parrinello said.
Parrinello apologized if his behavior offended anyone in the jury.
"If any of you found it over the top on my part, then I will apologize for that, and I will ask you if I have offended you with any of my behavior, please please set that aside," Parrinello said.
Tensions continued within the courtroom between Parrinello and Judge Francis Affronti during Parrinello's closing statements.
About two weeks into the trial, Parrinello was charged in contempt of court and ordered to pay a $500 fine.
Before closing statements, Affronti threw out three of the felony charges, first-degree tampering with public records, against Rahn, saying that Rahn didn't change the document after they were filed.
The case will likely be handed off to the jury Wednesday afternoon.
Rahn is charged with three counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, one count of second-degree hindering prosecution, one count of first-degree tampering with public records, one count of first-degree falsifying business records, one count of third-degree falsely reporting an incident, and two counts of official misconduct.
