Faces state prison time when sentenced for death of two men
ALBANY – 23-year-old Shajaine Foskey-Gause of Cohoes pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the second degree in Albany County Court before Judge Thomas Marcelle on Friday, Jan. 5.
Today’s plea satisfies the full indictment, which included a second count of Manslaughter in the
Second Degree, and four counts of Assault in the Second Degree.
The indictment alleged that on July 17, 2020, Foskey-Gause, while acting in concert, recklessly caused the death of Najee Parks and Naquin Key on Central Avenue in the Town of Colonie.
Specifically, the defendant is accused of racing another vehicle on Central Avenue and, driving
recklessly at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone, which caused her vehicle to crash into another car. That collision killed the occupants of the uninvolved vehicle, and injured the passengers in the defendant’s vehicle.
On Wednesday, April 12 Colonie police arrested Shanjaine Foskey-Gause, 22, of Cohoes and Kevin Clare, 31, of Schenectady after the indictments were unsealed.
According to reports, shortly after Midnight on July 17, 2020, a 2014 Volkswagen being driven by Foskey-Gause collided with a 2010 Nissan driven by Naquain Key, 31, on Central Avenue and Lombard Street.
Key and his passenger, Najee Parks, 31 died in the wreck. Foskey-Gause and two other passengers in her car were severely injured.
Allegedly, Clare was driving another vehicle alongside Foskey-Gause and nearly hit the two colliding cars.
“They were traveling at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred,” Lt Robert Donnelly said. “It was well above the posted 40 MPH speed limit.”
According to Donnelly, Clare slowed down, but then left the scene.
Both were charged with two counts each of manslaughter and four counts each of assault – with a weapon (the weapon was the car), all felonies. Clare was charged with an additional felony count of leaving the scene of an accident.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 6. Foskey-Gause faces 2 1/3 to 7 years in State Prison.
Criminal Contempt
COLONIE – An Albany man turned himself in on Wednesday, Dec. 27 to Colonie police to face charges stemming from a December 15 incident in the Village of Colonie.
Sha-Kiem Ellis, 45, was charged with criminal contempt – first degree- prior conviction, a felony. He was processed and then arraigned by Colonie Judge Norman Massry.
Falsifying business records and grand larceny
COLONIE – Nicole Stone, 44, of Latham turned herself in on Wednesday, Dec. 27 on multiple charges stemming from an April incident at Latham Farms.
Stone was charged with falsifying business records and grand larceny, both felonies. She was given an appearance ticket for Colonie Town Court on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Arrested in court on theft and chase charges
COLONIE – A Schenectady man was in Colonie Town Court adjudicating other charges on Wednesday, Dec. 27 when Colonie police arrested him on a warrant and charged him for a chase that took place on December 6.
According to reports, Donald Garry, 44, was charged with grand larceny – over $3,000, a felony, and criminal impersonation, unlawful fleeing a police officer and reckless driving, all misdemeanors, and six traffic violations.
He was arraigned in Colonie Town Court by Judge Norman Massry.
Arson, criminal mischief and warrant
COLONIE – A homeless man was the subject of a person annoying call on Friday, Dec. 29 at 9:49 a.m. at the Salvation Army on Central Avenue, but was found to be the suspect in other crimes earlier in the month.
According to reports, Joseph Fiddemon, 35, was charged with arson and criminal mischief, both felonies, for an incident that took place at Target on Central Avenue on December 6. Fiddemon also had an outstanding warrant from the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s office. He was arraigned and transported to to meet officers from that department.
Grand larceny and felony warrant
COLONIE – Colonie police were called to the Target on Central Avenue on Friday, Dec. 29 at 12:14 p.m. for the report of a larceny and found the subject of the call to be wanted by State Police.
Alexandria Lorman, 26, of Schenectady, was charged with grand larceny, a felony, and processed on a felony warrant. She was given an appearance ticket for January 10 in Colonie Town Court and transported to State Police.
Warrant at Target
COLONIE – On Friday, Dec. 29, Colonie police responded to the Target on Central Avenue for the report of a larceny. The subject of the call, Thomas McGinnis, 44, was found to be wanted for failing to show up for court in October.
He was charged with grand larceny, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor for the most recent incident. McGinnis was processed on the warrant and sent to the Albany County jail as a pre-arraignment detainee and was arraigned later in the day.
Warrant
COLONIE – A homeless man was arrested on an outstanding warrant after a larceny investigation at LL Bean at Colonie Center on Friday, Dec. 29.
John Judge, 34, was wanted by State Police in Brunswick and was transported to meet troopers.
2022 Crash leads to Felony DWAI-drugs, no license, drug charges
SCHENECTADY – A Brooklyn man, who was arrested by Schenectady police on other charges was turned over to Colonie police on Friday, Dec. 29 for an outstanding warrant from a February 2022 accident on Central Avenue.
According to police, Miguel Jackson, 36, was allegedly driving a vehicle on Central Avenue when it crashed into six telephone poles and caused $65,000 worth of damage. He did not have a license and had prior convictions for intoxicated driving.
A search of his vehicle at the crash scene revealed 102.3 grams of cocaine. Jackson was taken to the hospital on that day with injuries and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was charged with criminal possession of a narcotic drug with intent to sell, criminal possession of a narcotic drug, criminal mischief, aggravated unlicensed operation and DWAI-Drugs- prior conviction, all felonies, and ticketed for speeding.
Jackson was taken to the Albany County jail as a pre-arraignment detainee and was arraigned later in the day.
Felony DWI, no license
COLONIE – Colonie police arrested a Schenectady man for his third DWI on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 1:15 a.m. near the intersection of New Karner Road and Central Avenue.
According to reports, Isaiah Madden, 43, is also accused of drinking in the vehicle and did not have a valid license.
He was charged with felony DWI and felony aggravated unlicensed operation, and ticketed for an illegal signal, a right of way violation and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Madden was taken to the Albany County jail as a pre-arraignment detainee and was scheduled to be arraigned the next morning.
This story was featured on page 12 of the January 10th , 2024 print edition of the Colonie Spotlight
