New development in CNY Central investigation
Anthony Rinaldi and Heather Schmidt speak to Jim Kenyon in August
/ file photo
SYRACUSE -- A new development in an exclusive CNY Central investigation into a couple accused of a marijuana growing operation that resulted in a fire February 4th.
The charges against Anthony Rinaldi and his fiancee Heather Schmidt have essentially been dropped by the District Attorney's office. On August 3rd, Jim Kenyon reported the exclusive story in which the couple claimed they had nothing to do with the house fire on Temple Street near the centro bus garage. It wasn't until a week after the incident that an insurance investigator found the marijuana along with a growing lamp in the attic and called police.
Wednesday afternoon the charges against Rinaldi were "Adjourned in Contemplation of Dismissal." The prosecution told Syracuse City Court Judge Jeffrey Merrill there were conflicting fire investigation reports, and after many conversations, decided to grant Rinaldi and "ACD."
Rinaldi told Kenyon outside court that he finally sees an end to "the nightmare." "We just purchased it (the home) a year ago so it (the marijuana) could have been up there for many years. It could have been placed there. I personally don't know, but all I know is it didn't happen." Rinaldi said.
Heather Schmidt had already been granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal." Rinaldi's attorney, Ken Christopher says an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal means after 6 months, the court will throw out the charges and seal the case file as if it never happened. Christopher says had the case gone to trial, the D.A's office would have had trouble proving it was an active marijuana growing operation, and connecting it to his client.
Rinaldi says he will now try toseek a settlement to his claim with Allstate Insurance company.
This story generated a lot of comments when it was originally published August 3rd. Do you think this is a fair settlement?
