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Convicted Killer Campon Loses Appeal
Campon | 1 week 4 days ago | Comments 7
COURT HOUSE –– A Schenectady, N.Y. man serving time in state prison for killing a Lower Township teenager in July 2001 lost a recent appeal and will have to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Joseph Campon, 24, was convicted in June 2005 on manslaughter, hindering apprehension and weapons charges associated with the stabbing death of Christopher Loftus, 19, of North Cape May. Campon was 17 at the time of the slaying.
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Grand Jury Indictments, April 1
cape may county | 1 week 5 days ago | Comments 0
COURT HOUSE — On April 1 the following individuals were indicted by the Cape May County Grand Jury. Defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt:
• Adam Watson, Robert J. Bilhardt, Feb. 20, Dennis Township, theft, conspiracy.
• Michael C. Walls, April 27, 2007, Upper Township, distribution of controlled dangerous substance (CDS) (marijuana), distribution of CDS within 1000 feet school property, distribution CDS within 500 feet public property, conspiracy, using a juvenile in a crime
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Superior Court of Cape May County to Mark Law Day
court house | 2 weeks 3 days ago | Comments 0
Cape May County Superior Court will host Law Library Expo May 1.
COURT HOUSE –– In celebration of Law Day, the Superior Court in Cape May County will host a Law Library Expo May 1.
Law librarian Robert St. John will demonstrate the recently implemented online legal research service, LexisNexis, in the new Law Library of the county Courthouse at 9 N. Main St. at 9:30 a.m.
Susan Fuller, executive director of the county Bar Association, will present information regarding the organization’s services.
Attorney Linda Best will speak about the Law Day theme “The Rule of Law.”
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Watkins' Murder Trial to Stay in County
court house | 4 weeks 4 days ago | Comments 3
COURT HOUSE — Jesse Watkins will not get his case heard in Mays Landing, with jurors chosen from Atlantic County jury pools, Cape May County Superior Court Law Division Raymond J. Batten ruled April 3.
Watkins is facing a first-degree murder trial in the disappearance of his cousin Craig White, on Feb. 23, 1990. White was reportedly last seen with Watkins and never seen again, according to prosecutors. His body has never been found.
Comments (3)
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Sun, 04/20/2008 - 11:18pm
QUESTION : How is that Jesse Watkins can be indicted for 1st degree murder for Craig White on April, 17 2007 when Craig was listed as fugitive of justice for his many indictments he was facing for selling narcotics to several different undercover officers? He had also been charged with with assault for pulling a gun on R. Shockley on Jan,31 1990 not even a month before he disappeared which seems very fishy to me. Then Watkins goes into the hospital for a planned surgery to repair a torn radiator cuff on his shoulder which enable him to use his arm. Do you people ever think about the actual facts? Also several witnesses said they seen White in MARCH whats going on with that? How can a man be dead no murdered on Feb 23, 24th when he was seen by several different employees at the WAWA store?
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Sat, 04/19/2008 - 8:32pm
How does the judge deny the jury a chance to review the extensive record of White when that could have been his motive for running?He was facing several indictments for sale of narcotics and for robbery. Also the states witnesses Harold Watkins & George Davis, drug dealers who are both facing long term jail sentences, how can they be credible? and Watkins is also a member of Whites family. Margretta Marion another witness for the state states that the police told her that story and then she comes up with a story so similar, it seems as if her story was coached. Watkins is innocent and you all know it.
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Thu, 04/17/2008 - 10:39pm
This is what i dont understand i read these articles i dont understand how he is being charged for this crime when there is absolutely no evidence no crime scene or anything. As i continue to look in to it Mr Watkins was not the last one to be seen with him when there were two witnesses who said they seen him at him at the WAWA store on two different dates in March of 1990 two weeks after Watkins left. Also Craig White was facing some serious criminal charges that would cause him to run, and they thought so too in previous articles. Another thing almost all the witnesses happen to be members of Whites family ,did u ever think they got together and came up with this story because they dont like Watkins? I just feel that Watkins is being treated unfair and people should listen to what he has to say. And besides there cousins for godsakes.
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Sea Isle Puts Teeth in 'Animal House' Law; Landlord Objects
animal house law | 6 weeks 2 days ago | Comments 6
SEA ISLE CITY –– Officials here revised the resort’s rental housing law March 25 to make it tougher on landlords with noisy tenants. While many applaud the measure at least one property owner is against it.
Carl Lingesso, of the neighborhood watch group Town Watch/Town Pride, praised the change.
“We are very pleased with the tightening of this measure. It’s sure to pay dividends and allow residents to enjoy their properties,” Lingesso said. “Everyone who comes to Sea Isle should be able to have a good time, but not to the detriment of others.”
Comments (6)
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Thu, 04/03/2008 - 7:17am
I am a resident on the same block as the "Animal House" mentioned above and have been for years. Being that I just turned 30 this year, I am NOT old. Sea Isle is definitely a party town, of which I certainly take part in, however, you can party and still possess common decency. This house is known for it's cat calls, yelling obsenities at females when they walk by, obnoxiousness, blatant disregard in blocking our driveway several times with their vehicles to name a FEW of my complaints. There is nothing wrong with renting a house to a group of people for the summer to go out and have a good time, however when those tenants annually infringe on people's rights and make people feel threatened, he should be fined ridiculously. We all love and can appreciate a good party, but not one that lasts days at a time and causes others to feel endangered. And Hatton should think about doing some repairs, because that house is a total and complete EYESORE even when there aren't people hanging from the porches! You would think the damage sustained to his house by his tenants every year would be enough to keep him from renting it to kids year after year. How does he even make money on the deal?
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 4:31pm
I have lived on this block for years now and am NOT an older resident. I am a 20-something person who likes to go out and have fun as well. However, there have been SEVERAL incidents in which I have been woken at 4 or 5am by horrible, loud, obnoxious noises, let alone the screaming and music blaring on a daily basis. Sea Isle has been a safe home for me for many years, and I can honestly say that being verbally harassed when walking by this house and awoken by breaking glass being thrown from their deck have made me feel as though I was in danger. Hatton is correct, he cannot control what happens when the kids are back at the house. However, as the true adult and landlord in the situation, he is able to control who he rents to and its time he stop being money hungry and take a better look at those he puts in his house.
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Sun, 03/30/2008 - 9:05pm
Sea Isle has been a blue collar party town since I began coming here in 1953--if you can't handle this you should move away.
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Sun, 03/30/2008 - 7:57pm
HOW ABOUT ENFORCING THE LAW ON PUBLIC DRUNKENESS . HAVE YOU SEEN THE DRUNKS WALKING FROM THE BARS TO THEIR CARS AND THEIR RENTAL PROPERTIES? THEY ARE LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS, THE POLICE JUST IGNORE THEM. THEY WALK WITH THE BOTTLES IN THEIR HAND . ISNT THERE A PUBLIC DRINKING LAW? THATS RIGHT THE BAROWNERS WOULDNT MAKE THEIR MILLIONS IF THEY ENFORCE IT
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Sun, 03/30/2008 - 8:21am
Greed is the problem. I live next to another "animal house" and the big bucks from these failing properties is why greedy owners keep them, and the big bucks are why the tenants feel they have the right to party. Zoning, tougher laws and brave neighbors are the way to stop this and I cheer any and all solutions to remove these decaying properties and their blight on civil enjoyment.
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Sat, 03/29/2008 - 6:27pm
Since wild over speculation has driven seaside real estate out of the range of the youngest of renters, you will find business having a harder and harder time finding help.
Now that the dollar is tanking and the Euro is soaring, its getting less and less attractive for the usual Eastern Euro college kids to come over.
All that vinyl and sod is going to match the tumbleweeds and "FOR SALE" signs perfectly.
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Municipal Court Judge Charged with Drunk Driving
Courts | 6 weeks 2 days ago | Comments 26
NORTH CAPE MAY –– Local judge Peter Tourison was arrested for drunk driving March 27 by Lower Township police.
According to a police report, on Thursday at approximately 11 p.m. officers responded to a report of an erratic driver near the North Cape May Wawa convenience store on Bayshore Avenue.
A second call to police reported a minor motor vehicle accident with no reported injuries.
Comments (26)
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Wed, 04/02/2008 - 7:32pm
When did Mayor Craig lose his license? It is reported he lost it for 3 months.
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Wed, 04/02/2008 - 9:52am
for whoever does the editing of these posts from the Herald, I can not believe you left in that comment from 4/1/08 at 11:58pm
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Wed, 04/02/2008 - 9:13am
To the person who made the comment "this County sucks" It's people like you that make this county suck! To admit you were 5x as drunk for your DWI is pathetic. You are lucky you didn't kill a member of our community. Those who break the law should live with the punishment. Fourtunately Judge Tourison knows this. You on the other hand Sir or Madam feel no shame at all for driving ridiculously drunk. You suck! Move so there is one less idiot on our roads. Have a great day, drive safe!
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Wed, 04/02/2008 - 8:17am
Didn't Mayor Craig run away from the cops too. Real stand up guy there.
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Wed, 04/02/2008 - 7:14am
it was a major lapse in judgement. Just because he is who he is does not mean he will get away with it totally. It must have been very hard for the cop to arrest him, and for all we know maybe the arresting officer did NOT want to arrest him, maybe Mr. Tourison demanded that he be arrested. And for the loser that stated "cape may county sucks" why don't you move, you sound like a real class act.
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Wed, 04/02/2008 - 3:46am
Give it up. Judge Tourison wouldn't give a ruling on a DUI based on whether the accused was a nice guy or not. He also wouldn't accept a lame excuse of "I made a mistake..you make mistakes too". Yeah...you did...now get the standard penalty.
As far as Mayor Craig being guilty of the same thing......NO...the mayor had been drinking and driving.........Judge Tourison had been drinking, driving AND was involved in a motor vehicle accident.......way more severe.
Where are they getting these people from AA?
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Tue, 04/01/2008 - 2:25pm
Oh STOP! He had a couple pops, wasn't drunk as a lord and now you want him to resign? Oh please. This is NOT a felony. Besides, he was at the WaWa getting a piece of cake, not like the mayor at the bay getting a piece.
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Tue, 04/01/2008 - 1:35pm
Why isn't anyone asking about Mayor Craig of Lower Township, I still see him driving around so he must still have a license. Attorney Baldini should have never been appointed to Lower Township, due to him respresenting Craig at his DUI case. This is screaming of a conflict. Has anyone investigated to find out if Craig actually paid Baldini for his services or was it just a promise of a lucrative contract at Lower. A DUI can happen to anyone that has a drink or two. It is the Character of the man/woman charged that will determine the public opinion. I believe with what has been said the Judge will rise to the occasion and do the right thing.
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Tue, 04/01/2008 - 7:04am
The next time you go to dinner look around you and see how many people are having cocktails with their dinner. Notice who in the party is not having a cocktail. Very few. Patrons go to restaurants with liquor licenses for dinner and drinks. The only way the situation can be resolved is to go back to prohibition, outlaw liquor licenses for restaurants. No way is that going to happen. Fact of the matter is that most establishments turn their profits on the liquor they serve. Maybe there should be a State law that restricts EVERY establishment from serving any patron more than two drinks. But then again, even two drinks technically leaves you driving under the influence. Then again it won't stop people from going from one place to another either. Really, I have no clue what the answer is, how to insure that all of the public is protected .I do know like I said before that there are very few people who haven't had a few cocktails at dinner and then drove home.
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 10:18pm
His job does matter. I cannot believe someone would say that his job does not matter. You would think he would be more responsible and set an example being a Judge . How can he now convict people of the same crime that he is guilty of?
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 10:10pm
Where are the Mother's against drunk drivers?Why are not responding?Is this your child that he could have killked? If you have 1 drink and drive you can kill!! The judge knows this!! Lets not justifiy what he did wrong! He said the same thing that everyone else says, I only had two or three drinks before I left my office! He should have never left his office! The bus is only 3 minutes away! He could have walked from Bayshore to Townbank! Bottom line, I do not care how much you had to drink you have a right not to get into your vehicle and drink and drive! He should have the same fines, community services and
State imposed fines just like us all! I bet I will not hear about this one anymore! I would like to give a real good medal of courage to the officer that arrested him! Good for You! You saved a LIFE tonight!!!!!!
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 6:07pm
AHHHHH not me because unlike the judge I get my wife to drive when I drink because she does not drink. Sorry if the common folk dont do to your liking Mrs tourison
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 4:56pm
People make mistakes, readers of the Herald. Now GET OVER IT! People need held when they crumble, not thoughts of hatred. Stop looking for ways to bring people down, and help them cope with their problems. His job should not be on the line. He has been a good judge for a long time and does not deserve to be ridiculed for a SIMPLE mistake. No one was injured, thankfully. I am sure that if this were one of your family members, or friends, you would want them to be punished with the minimum.
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 2:19pm
I wonder how many of the posters below have been found guilty by Mr. Tourison????
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 1:26pm
Everyone is upset about Pete Tourison and rightfully so. Pete will do was is right because that is the man I known for the past several years,on the other what about the Mayor what will he do now since the supreme court ruled the alcotester reliable will he plead guilty or get Paul Baldini to represent him at the taxpayers expense for anothe trial.
I guess time will tell?
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 10:52am
I would like to meet all of the people who have never made a mistake or error in judgement. It is easy to point fingers and have uneducated opinions in life. Why is it fair to say that Mr. Tourison should not be left off, and then turn around and say that he should be held at a higher standard than the rest of us? Welcome to America. At the end of the day, he is just another guy who made a mistake, and his job shouldn't matter. Perhaps we should all spend a little less time passing judgement on someone else, and take a closer look at some of our own mistakes.
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Mon, 03/31/2008 - 4:32am
Who cares if he is a nice guy? As a municipal judge he has convicted and penalized hundreds of people for a drunk driving charge of which he himself is guilty. He should be held to a much higher accountability and penalty due to his office. The court should throw the book at him. What a bad example of a judge/lawyer. Shame on him.
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Sat, 03/29/2008 - 9:06pm
Isn't he the knew attorney? Don't you mean new? I think you did. Have someone proof read your posts.
If he was over the legal limit, then he should take his punishment and I know that he will. Judge Tourison of all people should know better however we all do make mistakes. A man in his position should not make costly mistakes like this. To the person who said that he may have been having cocktails like most attorneys and buisness people, that is an excuse plain and simple. Everyone needs to be responsible when they drink. I don't care if you (you in general) are charged with DUI, but I do care if you hurt or kill someone else, so don't make excuses, just DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. Its that simple.
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Sat, 03/29/2008 - 5:55pm
I saw this with the judge in Mays Landing. His other Judge buddies fround him not guilty.
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Sat, 03/29/2008 - 9:45am
I do not think this could have happened to anyone. If you drink you should be resposible. Being the man he is in and inposing fines on other drunk drivers you would have thought he would have called someone for a ride home. I am sure he knows alot of people who would have drove him home.
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Sat, 03/29/2008 - 9:03am
i agree 100% with your statement , BUT how many other people did the judge lock up for drunk driving after having a few cocktails at dinner at a meeting and who are good parents. Did the judge ever take into consideration their stories no he ruled that they were driving drunk and found them guilty
I'm sure a lot of the people who the judge convicted are like ably and exhibit fine characteristics. But dont try to hide the fact that the guy was drunk and caused an accident
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Sat, 03/29/2008 - 7:02am
Our justice system provides that you are innocent untl proven guilty. Mr. Tourison is an excellent attorney, fine, decent human being, devoted family man and deserves the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he was at dinner, had a few cocktails (who hasn't) and may not be the at fault driver. Perhaps he was at a business meeting, had a few cocktails with other people involved in local business/politics all of whom were probably consuming alcohol . Perhaps he was at a bar dinner where all the attorneys had a few cocktails. This man is not your local barfly. Do not judge until the facts are in. If Mr. Tourison is found guilty, he will take his penalties like the gentleman he is and you can be guaranteed he will rise above this. Anybody who knows Mr. Tourison, likes Mr. Tourison, anybody who knows Mr. Tourison, knows he is a man who exhibits fine character and this is undoubtedly an unfortunate incident that could have happened to anyone.
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Sat, 03/29/2008 - 3:54am
I don't think he will get too much. He's connected and will probably get a professional courtesy pass by the Lower Twp. judge. Maybe he can be assigned community service and clean out the sewerage retention basins at the MUA.
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Fri, 03/28/2008 - 4:51pm
Does every drunk driver just get released to a third party or do you go to some kind of lock up. Much respect for the officer who arrested this guy, but would love to see the cases that this officer brings before this judge in the future and there outcome
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Fri, 03/28/2008 - 4:44pm
Isn't he the knew attorney for Lower's MUA, Now Lower has a drunk Mayor and attorney, they should both step down from office, what an embaressment to the taxpayers.
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Prosecutor, Freeholders Argue Salary Increases in Supreme Court
bigley | 6 weeks 4 days ago | Comments 0
Comments (7)
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Mon, 05/05/2008 - 9:43am
Some of these comments are very rude to the family members and friends. I agree that the editor should not have allowed the name of his friend to be posted on here.
People just need to realize that whats done is done and you cant change that.
Sun, 05/04/2008 - 9:24am
youve got brass ones thursday 719pm to put his friends name in your comment. everything happens for a reason. Chris's life may have been sacrificed, for a reason. so his father and family could have the chris l project. that one death may save alot of lives. or even one at that, but either way they are trying to do something positive with his tragic death. Everyone should try to support the anti violence cause,instead of badgering him and his friends names. You never know you could be in the same situation one day. Everyone has rowdy nights in there lives.''note to editor, i think its mad distasteful you would let someone single matt smalls out like that''.Just for the record i dont really know either of these kids,but i dont really care. I was standing on the boardwalk when all this happened. so instead of wasting your time posting comments online, why dont you help your community and support the chrisl project. make a stand not a conviction. It doesnt matter who did what, what matters is how can we keep this from happening again.
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 7:19pm
Loftus and his friend Matt Small are responsible for what happened that night. Had they not instigated a fight like they had many times before maybe he would still be alive. Instead now his family has to deal with a loss, while his friends continue to talk to tough and pretend that it is not thier fault.
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 10:52am
this kid is nothing but a little chump no props for a punk that kills for no cause. Hes lucky he didn't kill one of my best friends cause if he did he wouldn't have to worry about an appeal. i was told first hand he's been tortured in jail so hes doing his time. so to loftus's friends dont worry all the things you want to do to him are being done daily.
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 8:03am
HE SHOULDNT EVEN HAVE TO DO THIS TIME, THIS KID WAS KNOWN FOR BEING VIOLENT WHEN HE WAS DRUNK.. THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IF CHRIS DIDNT WANNA BE A "TOUGH GUY!"
Thu, 05/01/2008 - 8:00am
My question is how Mr. Campon was able to serve his time in a youth facility instead of a State Prison?
Wed, 04/30/2008 - 4:34pm
Rott in hell doushe bag
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