After nearly three years investigators finally made an arrest in the deadly hit and run of Barry Moss of Evans. A 51-year old Evans woman was arrested and arraigned on charges Tuesday. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley reports Gabriele Ballowe was indicted by and Erie County Grand Jury.
“I want to thank the Moss family for their support and unwavering commitment to see that the person who committed this crime was arrested,” stated Evans Police Chief Ernest Masullo. He appeared with New York State Police and FBI investigators Tuesday afternoon at the Evans Town Hall, announcing a major breakthrough in this 31-month old case.
Moss was struck and killed along Route 5 in Evans in December of 2013.
“So for the past six months the team of investigators met continuously. They revisited all the evidence. They re-interviewed all the witnesses. They compared notes,” said Chief Masullo.
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Flaherty made a pledge to renew review of the case after taking over for former DA Frank Sedita earlier this year. Sedita previously said there was not enough evidence for an indictment.
“I spoke with DA Sedita regarding what had occurred in the grand jury. He explained to me what was needed to get an indictment and a conviction. We agreed to disagree. As I told anyone who would listen, we felt that we had enough evidence to get this case to trial,” Chief Masullo explained.
Ballowe is accused allegedly was driving intoxicated when she struck Moss and fled the scene. The former bar owner was charged on multiply felonies including vehicular manslaughter.
55-year-old Lynne Laettner of Angola is of lying to a grand jury in 2014 in the Moss case. Laettner is charged with perjury. Mug shot photo provided to the media by police.
Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Also charged in this case is 55-year-old Lynne Laettner of Angola. She's accused of providing false testimony before a grand jury in 2014. and is charged with perjury.
But DA Flaherty told reporters at this time they can't reveal the exact new evidence that broke open the case.
“One of the pieces of evidence you can glean for yourself from the second defendant contained in the indictment and you can draw your own conclusions from that. That’s the perjury charge against Lynne Laettner, so you can run with that as you wish,” Flaherty stated.
Laettner pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $10,000. She faces up to 7 years in prison if convicted of the charges. Ballowe pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $50,000. Ballowe faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges.
After this lengthy investigation, Chief Masullo noted this was a 'great accomplishment'.
“It’s a great thing for the family. That’s the most important thing. The family is going to get some peace of mind. It’s been on their mind for over 31-months,” said Masullo. “It’s just a good day we’re finally going to get our day in court.”
Members of the Moss family appeared at the news conference late Tuesday afternoon at the Evans Town Hall. They where they thanked investigators for their work. Family members declined broadcast interviews, but said they were 'thankful' and 'grateful' for the work of law enforcement.