NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Edward Conklin, 61, New Rochelle’s Notorious Panhandler, was released late Tuesday from the Westchester County Jail despite a judge’s order last Friday that he be released immediately.
The New York State Corrections Department released the following information in a text alert last night at 11:11 PM.
NYVINE MSG: EDWARD CONKLIN was released on 12/22/20 (Bonded out). In an emergency call 911. FMI call 914-231-1000
The only “bond” on file was two nominal $1 bonds pertaining to two dockets involving minor drug charges in White Plains City Courr. Those $1 bonds were not the reason Conklin was not released last Friday.
It appears there was a paperwork error between the New Rochelle City Court and the Westchester County Jail.
Conklin appeared in New Rochelle City Court via a remote video conference on December 18th from the Westchester County Jail where he was remanded by Judge Kettner on October 22nd for a “730” psychological exam to determine his mental fitness to stand trial with a return date for today, December 18th.
Kettner announced during that December 18th appearance that two Westchester County doctors declared Conklin to “have capacity” to stand trial and so ordered him released on his own recognizance with a return date in New Rochelle City Court of January 5, 2021.
Conklin is due back in White Plains City Court on January 15, 2021.
Full details on dockets and charges in New Rochelle and White Plains here:
Court Tracker: Conklin, Edward Case Multiple Dockets in New Rochelle City Court Criminal Part
It is odd twist of fate that Talk of the Sound which advocated for his arrest and incarcerated should take a lead role in his release yesterday. Our position has not changed — we believe he should be incarcerated (but he will not be as the DA appears ready to agree to 3 years probation) — but when a judge orders a person released from jail on Friday they should not still be in jail 5 days later.
We made numerous inquiries which led to Conklin’s release: New Rochelle’s Aggressive Panhandler NOT Released.
Why are you defending this clown let him stay in freaking jail where he belongs freaking low-life crackhead piece of blank blank