North Country Briefs
Man dies at Samaritan
after pickup slams tree
Jeffrey A. Murtha, 46, Willowbrook Drive, died late Wednesday at Samaritan Medical Center of injuries he suffered when his pickup slammed into a tree on Route 37 near Graham Road in the town of Pamelia, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
The accident occurred about 10:30 p.m. while Mr. Murtha was on his way home, Sheriff John P. Burns said. He was pinned in his truck, and was removed by Northpole firefighters. Guilfoyle Ambulance took him to the hospital.
An autopsy was performed Thursday afternoon. Dr. Samuel A. Livingstone, Jefferson County medical examiner, said death resulted from internal injuries. He found no indication that sudden illness caused the accident, he said.
Among his survivors is a brother, Detective Joseph D. Murtha of the sheriff's department. A full obituary appears on this page.
Soldier injured in accident
listed in serious condition
A Fort Drum soldier was listed in serious condition Friday at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, after undergoing surgery for injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle collision late Wednesday morning at Military Road and Route 37 in the town of Pamelia.
Bryan Brooks, 24, who is said to have returned recently from a deployment in Afghanistan, suffered "extremity fractures" in the 11:30 a.m. accident, according to a detective with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
The other driver, Delores Angel, 40, Philadelphia, also was admitted to the Syracuse hospital, and was listed in fair condition this morning. The detective said she suffered spinal, hip and ankle fractures.
Since she was not available for interview, no determination has been made about why her eastbound minivan crossed the center lines of Military Road, causing a head-on crash with a westbound Saturn driven by Mr. Brooks, the detective said. The investigation is continuing.
Police arrest armed man
after a domestic dispute
LACONA — State troopers responded to a domestic fight here late Wednesday anticipating a possible armed standoff, but an armed man surrendered without incident, police said.
Harwood C. Perkins, 39, of 1745 Otter Creek Road, threatened his wife, Mona, and another woman in their home shortly before 10:30 p.m. with a loaded revolver and a loaded shotgun, police said. He also threatened to harm anyone who responded to a call for help, police said.
Mr. Perkins was arrested on charges of second-degree menacing, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal mischief. The latter charge is for interfering with his wife's attempts to call police, an investigator said.
Sandy Creek Town Justice James Maring set bail at $10,000, sending him to Oswego County Jail, Oswego.
City teen jailed on charge
of having crack cocaine
A teenager was jailed under $10,000 bail Thursday for possessing eight packets of crack cocaine, according to Watertown police.
Christopher S. Germonto, 17, of 116 N. Hamilton St., was arrested Wednesday morning in the 300 block of Franklin Street on a felony charge of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police said he had been reported as a missing person, and was found walking on Franklin Street.
He was taken to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building following arraignment before part-time Watertown City Judge Eugene E. Renzi Jr., and awaits grand jury action.
Watertown man injured
by friend while hunting
ADAMS — A Watertown man was listed in stable condition Friday after suffering neck and shoulder wounds in a hunting accident off Interstate 81 in the town of Adams, according to state police.
Joseph A. Tufo, 45, of 420 Barben Ave., was shot by his hunting partner, Luke T. Netto, 43, of 22388 Duffy Road, Watertown, police said. He was taken by South Jefferson Ambulance to Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.
Police said the shooting occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. Friday in an area between I-81 and the CSX Railroad, less than two miles south of Route 177.
Mr. Tufo's wounds resulted from a shot fired with a .270-caliber rifle, police said.
The state police bureau of criminal investigation is continuing to investigate with state Department of Environmental Conservation police.
Two charged after melee
at diner in Watertown
A man was charged with assault and a Massena woman with disorderly conduct following a disturbance early Thursday at Mo's Diner, 345 Factory St., according to Watertown police.
Ellis L. Veal, 30, Watertown, faces charges of third-degree assault and harassment for allegedly punching two people, Kristin L. Pickett, 24, and Robert K. Pickett, 24, of 760 W. Main St., in their faces, police said. Mrs. Pickett suffered a chipped tooth, a nosebleed and a cut under her left eye, police said. Kristine D. Frederick, 43, Massena, pounded on a window at the diner and yelled at officers while they were investigating the alleged assault, police said.
After she ignored orders to stop her activity, she was cited with disorderly conduct, police said.
Police say man drove fast
while other clung to truck
NATURAL BRIDGE — Gordon E. Phillips, 41, North Croghan Road, was jailed early Friday on allegations that he drove his truck at a high speed while another man was clinging to an open door of the vehicle.
Jefferson County sheriff's deputies arrested Mr. Phillips on a charge of first-degree reckless endangerment.
With bail set at $5,000 by Wilna Town Justice Richard A. Buckingham, he was sent to the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, Watertown.
The incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at the 27646 Temple St. residence of the victim, Ronald R. Ward, 35, according to the sheriff's office.
Three brothers, woman
charged after bar fight
PIERREPONT MANOR — Three brothers and a woman have been charged by state police with harassment in connection with a fight late Sept. 5 in the Bear Creek Inn.
Summoned to town of Ellisburg Court are Ray Tennant, 28, David A. Tennant, 25, and Wilbur A. Tennant, 32, all of Route 11, Mannsville, and Tiffany I. Rogers, 23, County Route 97, Adams.
A trooper alleged they entered the tavern, walked up to the bar and picked a fight with David R. Hunter, 55, County Route 91, Mannsville. The bouncer, David W. Vann, 45, and bartender, Christina M. Hedger, 55, attempted to intercede, and also became victims, the trooper said.
Police: woman bounced
$3,000 check to Fuccillo's
ADAMS — A Liverpool woman is accused of bouncing a $3,000 check that was written Sept. 19 at Fuccillo Dodge, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
Joanne E. Kavanaugh, 43, awaits arraignment in town of Adams Court on a charge of issuing a bad check.
