George W. Arnold, Sr. – 91

Born on August 30, 1921 in Mechanicville to Herbert Patrick and Bertha (Bolton) Arnold. He married the love of his life, Josephine (Palmer) Arnold on April 27, 1952.

George attended Mechanicville High School where he was an athlete in basketball, football and track. He worked at Westvaco Paper Mill and after the devastating events of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy at age 20 in 1941, serving in the South Pacific.

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Darrin Wesley LaBrake – 46

Born on December 12, 1966 in Schenectady, son of the late Jerald and Joan (Genter) LaBrake.

Darrin is a graduate of Mechanicville High School. He was a Certified Pipe Installer and employed by Hawk Drilling in Saratoga Springs. Darrin is a former volunteer for the Hillcrest Fire Department and enjoyed coaching in the Mechanicville-Stillwater Little League. Above all he was a family man and lived for his children.

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Arthur F. Baker – 88

Arthur F. Baker of Hudson Road passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at his residence with his loving family at his side. He was 88.

Born on May 15, 1924 in Stillwater, son of the late Frank and Daisy (Crandall) Baker. He was born and raised in Bemis Heights. He is the husband of Helen (Sadowski) Baker whom he married on September 6, 1948.  Arthur served in the US Army from 1943-1945 in the European Theater. Following his service he was employed as a welder for the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Co. in Mechanicville until their closing in 1971. He was also employed at 656 th  Radar Squadron USAF Radar Station at Ketchum's Corners, Stillwater. Art retired in 1986 from the Veterans Administration Hospital in Albany where he worked for several years as a pipefitter leader.

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Jury returns verdict of guilty after 4 days of deliberations in Saratoga County Court on Daniel P. Taylor

Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III announced today that a jury returned a verdict of guilty on a violent felony of Assault 2nd and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, misdemeanor, after deliberating since last Friday on the case against Daniel P. Taylor (d.o.b. 10-10-83) of 500 South Shore Road, East Caroga Lake, NY for stabbing a man in the parking lot of the former Northern Lights, (now known as Upstate Concert Hall)  a dance club/bar and music venue in Clifton Park, New York.  The 2 day music event was called "Rat-atat-tat" where there was music, tattoo artists and tarot card readers.  The featured band was "Sick of It".

The trial was before the Hon. Jerry J. Scarano, County Court Judge.

The stabbing occurred on November 26, 2011.  Assistant District Attorneys Debra Kaelin and Michele Schettino tried the case which lasted for more than two weeks in which the prosecution called more than 25 witnesses and entered more than 100 pieces of physical evidence including photographs, the victim's clothing, video of the defendant, surveillance video from surrounding businesses, and forensic evidence.  The knife was never recovered.

In speaking to the jury after the trial, which is an unusual yet sought after opportunity, the jurors indicated that they had a tough time in understanding  the "self-defense" charge.  Further they said that because the defendant only stabbed the victim once, they questioned the defendant's intent to cause serious physical injury.

The People maintained that the intent was shown in a number of deliberate actions the defendant took.  These actions resulted in only one stab wound, but a substantial 16 inch slice, from one side of the rib cage to the other, and a laceration to the  liver of approximately 7 inches across and nearly 2 inches deep into that organ.

The conviction stems from an incident where Taylor attacked an unarmed man in the parking lot who he believed was following his girlfriend. After the brutal stabbing, he walked away from the victim, then discarded the knife he had brought  with him in an effort to hide it from authorities and caught up with the girlfriend.

Assistant DA Kaelin said "the jury listened very carefully, reviewed the  evidence and made the appropriate decision as to who was telling the truth.  They did not 'buy into' the baseless self-defense claim."

District Attorney Murphy said "ADA Kaelin had an uphill battle with the tale the defendant told on the witness stand.  I believe in the jury system and I'm thankful for the work of the jurors.  Without their efforts this man would not face the consequences for stabbing an innocent unarmed victim."

The prosecutors praised the work of the New York State Police, the Forensic Investigation Unit, as well at the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department for their work in investigating the case.

The defendant faces up to 7 years in prison and up to 3 years of post-release supervision.  Sentencing is scheduled for June 27, 2013 before Judge Scarano in Ballston Spa, NY.