‘Undue Pressure’ to Come to Decision, says Juror in Nov. 20 Spa City Incident

BALLSTON SPA — An unnamed member of the grand jury that last week led to the indictments of suspected actors in the Nov. 20 shout-out in Saratoga Springs intimated that they felt “undue pressure” to come to decision, and “feel ashamed that we did not do our job properly” after hearing testimony.  The story was first reported April 3 by NewsChannel 13. 

Vito E. Caselnova, a Rutland County Vermont sheriff’s deputy and Glens Falls resident, was indicted on eight charges, five of which were felonies and included one count of attempted murder in the second-degree. 

Three Utica men – Alexander Colon, Darius A. Wright, and Christopher (AKA Christian) E. Castillo,  were each charged with one count attempted assault, a misdemeanor, in connection with the incident, alleging each of the defendants “attempted to cause an injury to a person by repeatedly punching him,” according to court documents. 

“I am confident that the Grand Jury process was done in compliance with the laws of the State of New York, Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen said in a statement on April 3, following the circulation of the unnamed jury member’s comments, which were initially enclosed in a letter to Saratoga County Court Judge James Murphy. 

“While I would like to respond to and answer the numerous questions I have received regarding those proceedings, those very same laws expressly prohibit me from commenting further on the specifics of the grand jury presentation,” Heggen added. “I stand by my office’s presentation and await the judicial review.” 

Colon, Wright, and Castillo are scheduled to return to Saratoga Springs City Court April 25, and Caselnova is slated to return to Saratoga County Court on May 2. It is not known at this time what effect this week’s juror revelation may have on the proceedings.