New York Cop Admits To Killing Haitian American
September 9, 2010
CaribWorldNews, BROOKLYN, NY, Thurs. Sept. 9, 2010: A 32-year-old New York City cop yesterday admitted to killing a Haitian American woman while driving drunk down a Brooklyn street.
Andrew Kelly pleaded guilty to guilty to vehicular manslaughter in the death of 32-year-old Vionique Valnord as she was hailing a cab after leaving a wedding last September. Valnord was the daughter of Haitian-born Reverend, Varius Volnard.
After admitting to guilt Wednesday, Kelly then approached Rev. Volnard dad and extended his hand. The Rev. Volnard took a minute but then shook his hand. `He apologized to me and I accepted his apology,` Volnard told reporters afterward while saying he is satisfied with the guilty plea.
`He accepted responsibility and he will no longer be a police officer,` said the pastor of the Haitian Church of God in Brooklyn.
Kelly, a father of two has already resigned from the NYPD and faces 90 days in jail and five years probation when he is sentenced on Sept. 27. He had faced up to seven years in prison but under a plea deal worked out with prosecutors, he agreed to undergo alcoholism treatment and will be barred from driving for a year.
A seven-year veteran assigned to the 68th Precinct, Kelly was off-duty and driving home with police officer buddy Michael Downs after a night of drinking when he ran over Valnord in the Flatlands on Sept. 27, 2009.
Volnard`s family lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein, said Kelly`s guilty plea and admission of responsibility is a big step forward for a civil lawsuit the family has filed.
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