Lalor and Democrat have idea to toughen murder case sentencing

PRESS RELEASE FROM KIERAN LALOR

Democratic Senator Terry Gipson and Republican Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor have announced a bipartisan legislative initiative that would give judges in New York State the discretion to allow the sentencing for two or more crimes through a single act to run consecutively when one of the crimes results in a homicide under Article 125 of the New York State Penal Law.

The Wonderly family, along with other members of the community, presented the idea for this legislation after a personal tragedy. On August 1, 2012, Ryan Floryan ran a red light at the Eastbound Arterial and Worrall Avenue in the City of Poughkeepsie and slammed into a car carrying Shawn and Patricia Wonderly of the City of Poughkeepsie. The couple was killed in the crash. Thankfully, their two children Abigail, now 9, and Matthew Wonderly, now 8, who were also in the car, survived the crash.

On Wednesday June 12, 2013, Ryan Floryan pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree manslaughter. He faces six and a half to thirteen years in prison. While the victims’ families are relieved by Mr. Floryan’s guilty plea, they are rightfully disappointed with legal restrictions that had an impact on his sentencing. Under current law, Dutchess County Court Judge Stephen Greller could not impose a stricter sentence as the sentencing for the two separate manslaughter charges must run concurrently since they were caused by one act. During court proceedings, Floryan admitted that he was driving at an excessive speed to avoid City of Poughkeepsie police because he was on parole violation.