Joshua Szostak the aftermath....


By Corruptany, Section Diaries
Posted on Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 08:23:26 PM EST

I am saddened like many other Capital Region natives and residents to hear that the body of the missing Latham Man, Josh Szostack was found today. Its a shame, no parent should have to bury their own son. Even though we won't know what happened for a while, I feel something bad happened.

Its apparent Albany has a gang problem. In my days in Albany, you were afraid to walk around the city even during the day. I don't know what happened to Josh, but I feel it has something to do with gang members. Its no secret that some gangs see murder as initation, and some do harm to others because in their sick heads, they think they can. Even if this wasn't gang related, someone is roaming around Albany, a sick person. Why should people have to live in a city like that.

We have 900 vacant buildings, a school system that does nothing for kids, and a police force that is more criminal then anything. We also have an administration that seems to not care that the city is not safe. People shouldn't have to fear coming to Albany. I am sure after we hear what happens, more people will flock to the burbs to avoid danger. We all know about the young girls accosted on pearl street, and we all know that their are gin shots every night in Albany.

Albany is losing population, not because its a bad place, but because when things like this happen, people don't want to live there. I personally feel that this case will echo on in Albany. Think about it, a young man most likely murdered while going out with friends. Some will say he should have been more careful. To that I say this, would you say the same thing if someone had to work late one night and went missing.

This is a sign of times, it should be the trigger for people to demand Mayor Jennings to advocate his position. Over and over again Tuffey and him have shown their lack of management and incompetence to the issues facing Albany. You know what people, I think its time for everyone who gives a crap that a young kid was probably murdered. People should assemble a city halls holding pictures of Josh saying, Shame on you Jennings and demand him to advocate his position.

If people don't take action now, we will probably see this happen again. I sure as hell don't want to see anyone else lose their lives be it a young kid from Arbor Hill to a college kid. The time is now to rise up, Jennings needs to go NOW!!!!!!!!!Jerry and Tuffey, his blood is on your hands, I hope you have nightmares of Josh and everyone else who has been killed in Albany. I hope to god that your crooked incomeptant hacks and cops who don't even live in the city and bleed it dry wind up in jail where you belong.

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Joshua Szostak the aftermath.... | 30 comments (30 topical, 0 hidden)
Unfortunate as it is... (none / 0) (#1)
by mailer daemon on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 06:41:37 AM EST
Gangs did not kill this boy.  

This boy got too drunk and fell in the river.  He fell where his cell phone was found..(on the snow docks of the port)  the current carried him where he was found.

This is not the fault of the administration, this unfortunately is a tragic case of a kid who drank way too much, wandered out of a bar, and was too intoxicated to swim.

If anyone should be liable, it would be the bar that over served him.

Just read the TU article (none / 0) (#2)
by albany layman on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:30:56 AM EST
and cause of death is still unknown, or unreported.  So, speculating before knowing what happened is a bit ... gruesome.  

Sympathy to the family is more appropriate.

Autopsy results .... (none / 0) (#3)
by 1894 on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 02:29:41 PM EST
So much for your Gangs of Albany theory ...

http://tinyurl.com/69fdt8

What a dope. (none / 0) (#4)
by AlfredMoisiu on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 05:55:18 PM EST
Corruptany... you'd think that after the two high-profile crime that DIA made an ass of himself over the non-existant Jennings/Tuffey/gangs/drugs connection, you'd learn not to jump to conclusions.

This is a personal tragedy for the Szostak family, and a terrible thing. Do us all a favor and maybe wait a few hours before you start with the political nonsense.

What a dope. (none / 0) (#5)
by AlfredMoisiu on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 05:56:04 PM EST
Corruptany... you'd think that after the two high-profile crime that DIA made an ass of himself over the non-existant Jennings/Tuffey/gangs/drugs connection, you'd learn not to jump to conclusions.

This is a personal tragedy for the Szostak family, and a terrible thing. Do us all a favor and maybe wait a few hours before you start with the political nonsense.

I actually grew up down the street from Josh jacka (none / 0) (#6)
by Corruptany on Wed Apr 23, 2008 at 09:51:37 PM EST
Well, I am the one person here who actually knows the family personally and know one thinks this was a case of him drowning. Come on jack off, this is what the powers that be want you to hear. Why don't you ask anyone who knows the family and find out what the private investigator they found has to say. I hear they actually do have evidence of foul play but this will just be swept under the covers. I knew Josh, he grew up down the street from me and I don't think he was drunk, stole a car and wound up 5 miles away and fell in the river.

[ Parent ]
Corrupt (none / 0) (#7)
by alfrednewman on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 05:22:33 AM EST
We should all keep the family in our thoughts.

If foul play directly lead to the death of Josh Szostack then let the family present it for all to see and for all to judge.

You knew Mr Szostack and I didn't. But I do know that being 21 and being drunk usually makes kids do really stupid things.

Is it plausable that he got drunk or high, stole a car, dropped his cell phone and then fell in the river?  Probably more plausable then having someone going through the trouble of setting it all up and leaving 400 plus in his wallet.
 
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"

Kind of interesting (none / 0) (#8)
by Corruptany on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:42:37 PM EST
Its kind of interesting how the money they found somehow lasted six months and in tact in the freezing water. Its also kind of funny how the papers havn't talked about it. I really hope Josh's family doesn't let this case rest. This wasn't a drowning, why in gods name did the car he was supposed to have stole have no dna in it. Why is it that a tracking dog followed his sent down pearl street and up lincoln park, where it just stopped. How is it that if the dog followed his scent to lincoln park, why is it that the car he stole from the dec building was on the other side of the river and somehow he managed to drive it to the port of Albany. This case makes no sense and the papers just through it to the side not asking more questions. He was murdered and you all know it.

[ Parent ]
Corrupt (none / 0) (#10)
by alfrednewman on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:26:54 AM EST
Actually the fact that the cash was intact isnt surprising at all, especially if it was in cold water and in either a pocket or a wallet.  Our currency isnt worth much these days but ll stand up to the elements. Remember they found some of DB Coopers cash and that had been exposed to the weather for decades...

I don't know if Josh was murdered or not.  To me it is more plausable that a 21 year old got too drunk or stoned to think straight and did something stupid than the police wanting to cover up a murder during a year when there was exactly one reported and a second one wouldnt really make much of a PR difference.

If the family has proof that Josh expired because someone threw him in the river then let them present it.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Gangs or no gangs, (none / 0) (#9)
by hawkny on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 04:28:17 AM EST
downtown Albany has been and always will be a dangerous place at night.

If Josh was found with $400 of the $500 he started his night with in December it is hard to conclude that robbery led to his demise.

Why anyone would carry that much cash around during a night on the town is disturbing.  "Flashing a wad", as they say, is tantamount to asking for trouble in a club enviroment.

His family needs everyone's prayers and support. This has to have been a terrible experience for them.

So why all the unaswered questions (none / 0) (#11)
by Corruptany on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:29:57 AM EST
I really don't by the story, I am sorry. I am older then Josh, but my sister knew him. How and why would a kid from the suburbs steal a DEC car. You can argue people do dumb things when they drink, but from what I hear, know one understands how he would have known how to hot wire a car. Also, why would he drive to the port of Albany. Kind of seems like a convienent place to drive, then he drops he cell phone and lands in the river. Why was there no DNA evidence in the car he was supposed to have stolen, why did a police dog follow his scent up to Lincoln Park. Why, Why, Why. If the police can show that there is evidence he stole a car, drove it to the port and fell in, then I will eat my words. Instead, they are just closing this case asap and the papers lack the guts to ask the questions I pose above.

[ Parent ]
Corrupt (none / 0) (#12)
by alfrednewman on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 08:12:54 AM EST
I am from a small town. I owned shitboxes. I used to know how to hotwire a car- it was something you learned after you loose your keys in a bar's parking lot a couple of times or when your bitch girl friend steals them from you.  Its not all that hard to learn.  

Why would a kid from the suburbs steal a car?

Same reason why a kid from the suburbs becomes a DJ. To be cool.  We are talking about a 21 year old. Not someone who went to Harvard and has a job.

Why no DNA? How about it was low 34 and raining on the night of Dec 23. He wore gloves. He wore a coat and he was stealing a car so he wore gloves.  

The port is as good a place to dump a stolen car as any. Its within walking distance of the Pearl Street Bars.

Here is my theory: He goes out with his friends, gets drunk, decides to have some fun, swipes a car, and goes to dump it at the port.  He then discovers that there are people at the port 24/7, thinks he is getting discovered, droped his cell phone trying to get away from the car and then falls into the river.

There is one last thing: there are security cameras at the port. Dont you think the businesses and the police would have been checked them?

We should keep Josh and his family in our prayers. I am sure that they have a lot of questions. I am equally sure that they will never be satified with the answers they get.  
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Answers Corruptany (none / 0) (#13)
by one flew east on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 11:00:00 AM EST
Some of your facts are wrong.  

First of all the DEC car wasn't hotwired, the keys were in it.  The car was stolen in the Port of Albany, not that far from where it was found.  His cell phone was found where the car was stolen.  

Not finding DNA, means just that, it proves nothing.  DNA is not found at every crime scene, it's actually found at very few crime scenes that police process.  Since TV has glamorized DNA, the public believes it is found at most crime scenes, however that isn't true.  

And a police dog didn't find his scent in Lincoln Park.  It was a rescue dog and it occurred about 4 or 5 days after he went missing.  

And may I ask, where did you get your degree in forensic pathology?  

And money will last for years out in the elements.  

It appears that you're just trying to make a story, where there isn't one.  You have absolutely no facts to support your theory, just conjecture and speculation.  

My prayers are with Josh and his family.  

So why are they so... (none / 0) (#14)
by Corruptany on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 11:17:53 AM EST
http://capitalnews9.com/content/top_stories/114867/josh-szostak-s-father-speaks-out/Default.aspx

They seem to want the case to be closed really fast without answering any questions. I guess your the typical Albany person, never asks questions, never wants change. They aren't even looking at WHAT HAPPENED, they are just saying what the think it is WITH NO EVIDENCE besides a kid in the water. Come on, please tell me why they are closing the case so soon WHEN ALLOT OF QUESTIONS REMAIN.

[ Parent ]

Thats just NY for you (none / 0) (#15)
by Corruptany on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 11:29:17 AM EST
We always accept the bs were told, no wonder the state is such a mess and the police are crooked. If you think this case is open, shut, close I hope the same thing happens to your family then to see why I think there is something wrong here.

[ Parent ]
Want change (none / 0) (#16)
by one flew east on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 11:44:55 AM EST
You should stop making your political statements about such a tragedy.  The police investigated this case for 5 months.  And Al is right, some people will never be satisfied with the answers or the outcome.  

Funny, you didn't address any of the mistakes you posted as facts.  

So tell me... (none / 0) (#17)
by Corruptany on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 12:21:21 PM EST
So please tell me WHAT evidence there is that he drowned, no foul play. Why is it the APD refused to allow the State Police and FBI in, why? I am just trying to understand, WHY, because if they are so content on this story, they would allow a second opinion, right....

[ Parent ]
Why can't you admit when you are wrong? (none / 0) (#18)
by tmonjeau on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 02:22:14 PM EST
Look, you are so out there and wrong on this, why not just admit it?  There are plenty of issues around here that those of us who live here are trying to deal with, and your comments on this one reflect a pretty paranoid and ridiculous inability to simply say mea culpa.  I won't even get into the part about your blah blah blah without doing anything about your blah blah blah.  If you truly gave a damn, you would be here in Albany trying to be a part of a solution.

  And before you start with the "I had to leave because there were no opportunities and I was afraid of living in Albany" I will add that there are plenty of us who moved here and have found plenty of opportunities.  There are plenty of reasons to want to move to Boston, NYC, Chicago, LA or West Bejesus for that matter, but  having to flee Albany is not one of them.  And by the way, I don't suppose that Boston or Cambridge has any issues of corruption or police misconduct or political ineptitude does it?
   A small city like Albany will never have the opportunities available in a big city, and I accept the fact that my kids may well end up in such a place.  I kind of doubt that oneof my daughters will come back from NYC, but that is because of NYC, not because of Albany, per se...and as to the other, I suspect that she will be in law school in Boston next year, and I suspect that she may well want to experience a big city for a while also.  But guess what, they have enjoyed growing up here in the City of Albany and they certainly are not running away.

Um, I own a home in Albany actually, (none / 0) (#19)
by Corruptany on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 03:54:07 PM EST
I am not some kid, I am 32 years old and am married with a kid. I own two homes in Albany area, one on Heron Street in the South End and the other in Schenectady. I guess being that I am a property owner, I have more of a stake in the city then the people who own homes in Colonie, Clifton Park and other places. I won't let this die because I don't buy it, that's why. I also know the family and I honestly feel that your not being given the real story, ok. From day one, the Albany police were very uncooperative and more or less pushed people away. The family had to higher a private investigator (who seems to also think foul play) because the APD didn't give a shit. I also question why is this case open, shut, close with no questions asked.

[ Parent ]
And if you must know (none / 0) (#20)
by Corruptany on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 04:23:05 PM EST
So please tell me this, how could I stay in a place with no jobs, a declining population and little job growth. I would move back to Albany in a heartbeat if metronorth were extended or the bullet train came to be, at least I could telecommute and have a decent job. Problem is, I can't find high paying work in Albany. I am not the only one who leaves. Difference between them and me is that I don't forget where I come from and actually want things to turn around. Most people leave and never look back and bad mouth the city everywhere they go. At least I care.

I do do my part, I do it through donations to candidates who I believe can actually make an impact. Problem is there aren't many of them. Most people in politics in Albany are self servers with little or no ideas. When I was 21 and naive, I thought my projects in urban planning would have saved this city. Unfortunately my parents didn't kiss the right ass. Please tell me I am not wrong. Look at the people running the show in Albany and the state in general. Do you think they are the most qualified, or are people with a vision. Its frustrating living in Albany because it has so much potential going to waste. Instead we have a bunch of snake oil salesman telling us gold is in front of us when in reality its nothing.

You know what, I don't believe the story with Josh and I am angered that he is dead because last time I saw him was ten years ago when he was a kid riding his bike. Maybe he did die that way, but imagine being his family. There has been no inquiry into his last moments here on earth and from what I hear, the police have not been cooperative. To me that just seems suspect. If the police provide a detailed report and construct his final moments, I would shut up. There not doing that though.

[ Parent ]

Get off the pipe (none / 0) (#26)
by AlfredMoisiu on Sun Apr 27, 2008 at 09:29:05 AM EST
So you're an absentee landlord who can't find a job around here. Boo fucking hoo. Don't sit back and blame it all on people you don't like.

Look around your own backyard. Is Massachusetts run by the "most qualified" or by "people with a vision"? No. The Boston metro area is a happening place, but Western Mass in in a shambles nearly as bad as Upstate NY. Around here, economic development types are trying to attract the kind of industry (high tech) that has contributed to the Boston metro area's success.

I'm sorry that your friend is dead, and I'm sorry that the authorities have not convinced you that they've conducted a through investigation. Let him rest.

[ Parent ]

Corrupt (none / 0) (#21)
by alfrednewman on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 05:23:27 PM EST
Corruptny:

If you are aware of circumstances that indicate that this was foul play then by all means present them.  From what I have read and from what I have heard this seems to be a case of a good time that simply went tragically wrong.

The simple and unfortunate fact is that continuing this discussion is not going to bring back the kid and is simply dragging it out for his poor family.  It is understandable that in times of a great and  needless tragedy a family hopes for more. More than just an accident. More than just a son who does something dumb and dies as a result.  And they hope for more because they will see his death as their failure. The "what ifs..."   What if he was raised different. What if he stayed home... What if.....   They will hope for more because they don't want others to question how this could have happened to their son.  The "what ifs..." are quickly followed by the "how coulds.."  "How could" a child that you remember riding a bike around a decade ago be accused of stealing a car and then be found dead months later.  "How could..." this happen.

After close to four months if there was foul play involved I think that information would have found its way into the public domain.  It hasn't.  And it hasn't because this is probably just a case of a good time that simply went tragically wrong.

Spend more police resources tracing the last steps of someone who probably died because of his own stupidity?  Corrupt, I can tell you from experience that the parents probably shouldn't know the sorry details of what the child they raised was up to that led to his death.  I have known parents who are haunted by the events that led to their child needlessly passing on.  Not pretty. If the parents have proof that their child was murdered then they should present it.  If they don't then you should stop looking to blame someone else for the behavior that led to their child's death.

Let the matter drop.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"

And.... (none / 0) (#22)
by alfrednewman on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 06:54:28 PM EST
And Corrupt:

We ultimately make our own way in life.  If you really wanted to stay in Albany then you would have simply found a way.   When I moved from Boston to this area I thought Albany would be but a pit stop on my road to success and glory.  And here, almost 20 years later, I am. Still in Albany.

Declining population?  Maybe. Lack of opportunity?  Only if you think that opportunity is something that someone else is going to be handing to you on a silver platter.  How can you stay in a place with little job growth?  Start your own business.  Take a chance.  Invest in the community that you say you are so attached to.  Come home. And yes, I certainly know how hard it is. I also know it can be done.

Don't like who runs the show?  Then use your organizational skills to help those who want to make a difference.  The single biggest problem that candidates who may make a difference face isn't the shortage of cash. It is the shortage of campaign talent and know how.  Most people who have campaign experience are already in the political system and can't work for unsanctioned candidates without being bitch slapped fo r their efforts.  If you have the talent and want to make a difference then come home and put your skills to good use for people who deserve it.  There are a bunch out there. Some really good people ran for Common Council but lost because they had no clue how to run a campaign and didn't understand how to successfully run a campaign or present their message coherently.  

Bullet trains and Metro North are just stupid excuses.  Albany would be forever damaged if we were to become a bedroom community for the crass people who would move up here.

And Corrupt, if you think you can manage two properties from Quincy then you are not doing anyone any favors.  Trust me on this.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"

because this couldn't be a case where (none / 0) (#23)
by mailer daemon on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 07:35:31 PM EST
A person drank too much and fell off the snow docks at the Port of Albany.  it has to be a conspiracy, right? it has to be a gang related case of a mugging gone bad.  Because the this guy, who sounded like a really wonderful person, would never drink that much and stumble off, away from the safety of a large group of people, to find his car.  

I will tell you, that could have been me when I was 21 or any of my friends.  And I feel terrible for that poor family, but I made a TON of stupid mistakes while drunk off my ass and I was just plain lucky I did not get hurt or worse.

It also seems to me that there would be an awful lot of people in on such a conspiracy.  And why?  Why would they hide this case compared to the other gang related crimes in the city?  because he was a white man from a good home and not a black drug dealer?

it is much easier to grasp that this boy...who could be our  neighbor, son, daughter, loved one, walked into a terrible situation than to imagine he got drunk and fell into a freezing river.

Mail (none / 0) (#24)
by alfrednewman on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 09:17:33 PM EST
Good points.

"There, except for the grace of God, go I."

I am a firm believer that we should all beat up the APD when they deserve it. And, regretably, there is a lot of times when they do deserve it.

But this case?  I just don't see why the APD would want do cover up any wrong doing. Just what purpose would it serve?
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"

Corruptany (none / 0) (#25)
by one flew east on Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 10:41:49 PM EST
Another fact that you're apparently not aware of is that there were several police agencies involved in this investigation, including the State Police.  They all came to the same conclusion.

And a forensic pathologist's job is to determine, medically, the cause and manner of death.  That was done in this case.  

You seem to want to disregard the facts and add your own forum filled with rumor and speculation.  Your exploitation of this sad story, quite frankly, is disturbing.

As far as I can see (none / 0) (#27)
by jackknight on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 12:32:39 PM EST
Corruptancy is just saying the case doesn't make sense. Isn't that just asking questions?  The case seemed strange to me too.  You guys must of all really put the booze away in your early days.  Me, I always knew what I was doing no matter what.    Why does Corruptancy have to let anything go?  The parents want a second opinion too.  What a bunch of hypocrites you are.  

A seccond opinion is fine... (none / 0) (#28)
by mailer daemon on Mon Apr 28, 2008 at 06:45:56 PM EST
but to blame the death of this poor guy on the police because the supposedly covered up an attack by a gang is a stretch.  

if anyone is going to find something, the Dr. they hired will.  At this point, the parents need closure, and if this is how they get it, who can find fault with it?

But to C.A.  everything is a conspiracy if it differs from his/her own opinion.

[ Parent ]

jacknight (none / 0) (#29)
by alfrednewman on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:18:46 AM EST
The TU is reporting that the second autopsy "echos" first.

Questions?  Sure there are a lot of them. There always will be.

I suspect that the family will never be satisfied with answers which indicate that their child died of stupidity after getting hammered and stealing a car. Because that would be a reflection on how they raised him and the values that they instilled.

If the family has information that indicates that this is more than just stupidity they should come forward with it.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

facts (none / 0) (#30)
by DIA on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:43:12 PM EST
Who the hell knows if these are correct, but they are an update of the previous ones that were apparently wildly off base.

Personal items were found on the body, including a wallet and $28, Miller said. The initial report that State Police found a wallet containing $400 was inaccurate, Miller said.
Joshua Szostak the aftermath.... | 30 comments (30 topical, 0 hidden)
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