Tedisco Joins Daughter of Murdered 77-year-old Gloversville Man to Call for Special Session to Repeal “Catch & Release” Bail Reform & Give Judges Real Discretion

Clifton Park--Senator Jim Tedisco today joined Tammy Patrick of Johnstown, whose 77-year-old father John Lee of Gloversville was fatally stabbed on June 9^th, to speak out about the “catch and release” bail reform law and call on the governor and legislature to hold a special session to pass Tedisco’s legislation to repeal bail reform (S.1523A) and give judges real discretion (S.1521/A.1705).  

Tedisco and Patrick were joined by Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino, Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo and Gloversville Police Chief Tony Clay.

Tammy Patrick’s late father, John Lee, was allegedly killed on June 9^th by Thomas Quillan, who was arrested and charged with assaulting another man the day before Mr. Lee’s murder, and then released.  Prior to the bail reform law passing, the judge would have had the discretion of being able to hold the defendant on bail, preventing the loss of life.

Senator Tedisco has been an outspoken leader and voice against the broken bail reform law from the start. Bi-partisan calls to close the revolving door nature of the law have been building in recent days with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Albany County District Attorney David Soares all calling for immediate changes to the law.

“With Governor Hochul’s and the Majorities’ criminal justice failures now there needs to be a new name for ‘crime victims’: It’s ‘Forgotten People’!!! The New York Majorities and the Governor are on their third strike. First strike was the so-called reform ended cash bail and real judicial discretion.  Next was a failed reform of the reform. Then came the present failed ‘reform of the reform’ of the initial so-called reform. Even Aaron Judge of the Yankees must stop after three strikes! How about try listening to the people of New York State, the families of crime victims such as the family of John Lee, and the bi-partisan voices calling for repeal of catch and release bail reform so we can finally give real discretion back to judges. New York should get it right!” said Senator Jim Tedisco. 

“On June 9, 2022, my family’s lives were changed forever. My wonderful father was lured out of his home by a fire that was set in his back shed. The perpetrator had been released just hours before for another attack on an innocent elderly gentleman. Once on his own back deck, trying to get to his garden hose, this suspect violently attacked my dad. This horrible event would lead to my father’s untimely death. My dad was a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. The world lost a gentle soul that day, and I never want it to happen again. I wholeheartedly support Senator Jim Tedisco’s legislation to repeal the bail reform law and give judges discretion and call on the governor and legislative leaders to come back to Albany and fix this terrible bail reform law so what happened to our family never happens to another family again,” said Tammy Patrick, daughter of John Lee.

“My heart goes out to Donna Lee, Tammy Patrick, Tracy Hine, and all the family of John Lee who are grieving his senseless murder.  While I can’t get into the specifics of this investigation at this time, the fact is the alleged perpetrator was previously charged with an offense that before bail reform became law, the judge would have had the discretion to hold him in jail on bail. It’s clear the bail reform law is broken and we need Senator Tedisco’s legislation to repeal it and give judges the discretion they need to keep people safe,” said Gloversville Police Chief Tony Clay.

“The bail law as written takes the handcuffs off the accused and places them on the police and prosecutors which has led to not only an increase in crimes being committed but more of our citizens being victimized. As a former judge, district attorney and now county sheriff, I believe Senator Tedisco’s bill to restore judicial discretion makes imminent sense,” said Fulton County Sheriff Richard Giardino.

“I’m not opposed to criminal justice reforms, but they should be done in a sensible way with input from all parties involved, including law enforcement.  I support Senator Tedisco’s common sense legislation for judicial discretion so we can get it right and not put the safety of our citizens at risk,” said Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo.