Hi everyone,
With more than 15 convictions on his rap sheet, James O’Neill is no stranger to the criminal justice system.
So when O’Neill’s bond was lowered from $200,000 to $49,000 on Monday in connection with evading the scene of a May 28 accident in Bethel, some folks in Greater Danbury shook their heads.
After all, wasn’t O’Neill a “person of interest” in the June 3 hit-and-run death of Danbury Police Officer Donald Hassiak?
Yes, but O’Neill was only that — a “person of interest” in the Hassiak case, not a suspect or a defendant.
Until Tuesday.
Forty days after Hassiak was struck and killed on Route 7 as he rode his bicycle to work for the midnight shift, New Milford police issued an arrest warrant for the 47-year-old O’Neill, of Bethel.
O’Neill, who is already behind bars in Bridgeport, faces a litany of charges associated with Hassiak’s death, including felony misconduct with a motor vehicle, felony tampering with evidence and four misdemeanor charges.
There was no closure with this announcement. It’s too early — much too early — for any healing here.
But there was a sense Tuesday that justice can finally start to flex its muscle and help one of Danbury’s finest rest in peace.
During O’Neill’s arraignment on the Bethel charges in June, State’s Attorney Stephen Sedensky argued for a high bond because O’Neill might be a suspect in another case.
Everyone in the court room knew the other case was the cowardly hit-and-run tragedy that stole Donald Hassiak from his wife, Kim, and their three beautiful boys: Matthew, Luke and Donald Joseph III.
By all accounts, you see, Donald Hassiak was a credit to his uniform and a hero to his family.
He was a decorated 16-year veteran of the Danbury Police Department and a father who scooped his wife and kids into his arms like he was scooping them out of a treasure chest.
Hassiak cherished them more than anything in the world, friends and family said. Who needs diamonds and rubies when you have a great wife and super kids?
There is no greater joy in life. Nothing is more precious.
To read more about Tuesday’s arrest warrant in this case, read my “Take on Life” column Wednesday.
Only in the print edition of The News-Times.
In this great country we have this concept of being innocent, until proven guilty. Have you heard of this, Brian ?
While whatever evidence the police have against this man warrants consideration, none of it has been presented to the public as is required by our laws. Likewise, his background compounds suspicions, he is still considered innocent.
Despite you feeling that you can act as judge and jury,you represent the News Times, when you comment in your blog, and you are expected to report on the news. I realize the news, and facts, are something you have no comprehension of, even though in your position you should.
You represent everything that is bad about the News Times, and should resign. You are pathetic. Go back to writing feel good articles about the neighborhood, although even that is well beyond your limited skills.
I will be contacting Hearst senior management to let them know the type of fool they have for employees. When they terminate the News Times, think about all those people you helped put out of work because of your ego.
Comment by Ben G — July 14th, 2010 @ 10:15 am
Bryan- GO TO HELL AND ROT- You have no idea what a loss Don Hassiak is to his family and friends and the city of Danbury- You are the coward- start showing up in court to defend your killer friend O’Neill-
You are the lowest form of life! The Police have evidence LOSER- Go to defend him and when he is proven innocent invite him to you house to live in your house you liberal puke!!
Comment by John — July 14th, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
Ben G not Brian please rot in hell
Comment by John — July 14th, 2010 @ 8:11 pm
@John
From what I read Officer Hassiak was of great value to the community. Had you actually read what I wrote you might have noticed that I did not at one point say anything negative about him. My challenge was against the newpaper thinking they have the right to override the Constitution.
ONeill should be tried in a court of law, not the court of ” wanna sell some advertising”, and if found guilty, punished. However, it is up to a court of law to decide this.
As to ONeill, don’t know him from a hill of beans and if he’s proven guilty given his prior offenses they better not be lenient, he’s a hazard on the road.
As to the police having evidence, nah, never heard of a case in which a person was arrested who was not guilty. Every week there are people released from jail proven innocent after years, and decades of false imprisonment, and that’s even with our tiered judicial system which endeavors to prevent such happenings. Just look at the case of Jaycee Dugard, in which time and time again the authorities failed to recognize the situation she and her children were in.
As to your temper tantrum, why don’t you go to your room and take a time out. If that doesn’t help, try some anger management.
Comment by Ben G — July 14th, 2010 @ 10:54 pm
Ben G.
What we need more is what Brian is doing. Sharing the truth and not dilluting it to suit your needs. I commend Brian for what he is doing telling the truth with no sugar coating it. if it were YOUR mother, father, brother, sister, or your child, I bet you would be the first one screaming how no one was doing their job. how could they have let him out of jail after the first hit and run.. You are not concerned about the rights of this murderer. Yes he is a murderer, and a coward. He left the scene in Bethel “a hit and run”
and if you read the blog, they are charging him with the hit and run of Off. Donald Hassiak. Brian did not “convict” him. He told the truth…that this person, with no reguard for the lives of law abiding citizens, his bail was reduced so he “could” theoretically get out on the street and kill someone else…. so you think Brian should be fired .. well I think that every single child molestor released in Ct should be your roommate, as well as the drug dealers, gang bangers and all the other career criminals that people hold rallys saying not in our neighborhood. You should love it! they served their time, they are innocent right? Read it again Ben G. try looking up the facts… when you are done.. listen to John and Rot in hell with O’Neill…….
Comment by Fred — July 14th, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
@Fred
Back in the day there were people like you, John and Brian who felt that they could apparently determine if someone was guilty by the color of their skin, or, simply because they were angry and did not know how to channel their anger constructively. They were called lynch mobs, and it is unfortunate to see that they still exist in the guise of people like you who can, without the facts, determine guilt.
Lynch mobs are a dark mark on the history of the US, a country which was built on the concept of a lawful society. Lynching is a result of ignorance. I don’t expect any of you to see this however, since as with lynching you are simply angry and are desperately trying to find some peace. Brian even refers to this concept directly, all while maintaining an undertone that conflicts with the very concept.
It’s quite sad that we’ve not been able to do away with such foolishness but I guess where there are fools, there will be foolishness.
Yes, ONeill has been arrested, and a such he is the ALLEGED perpetrator of this crime. He is only guilty when proven in a court of law. It’s a shame that the 3 of you are so unfamiliar with our process of justice.
As I have already said if he is guilty I want to see him get his just rewards as much as anyone, but I’d like to see the evidence come out and judged as per our laws. And as important – if by some chance he’s not guilty and someone else committed this crime, I think it’s very important for that information to come out as well. If someone else committed this crime then we need to find that person.
I hope that no one in your family, or any friends, are every falsely accused of a crime. The case of Sakineh Ashtiani comes to mind since it was just in the press. Go ahead, look it up, it’s been in the news recently. Its the case in which a woman is being accused of a crime,
whether she committed it is quite questionable, but she was found guilty and sentenced anyway. Oh, and by the way, that she was already punished for the alleged crime did not matter to those who decided to judge her simply because, and in doing so those who judged were violating their own laws. Sounds like the type of justice you like, so perhaps you should move to that country. It’s called Iran
I doubt you will actually gain anything from my statements above and will continue to show your lack of maturity with statements like “go to hell”, so I’ll end with “I have no doubt I’ll see you there”. Or, perhaps I should just suggest you go to Iran.
Incidentally, I hope no one in your family every finds themselves falsey accused, and worse, falsely found guilty of a crime. That just destroys even more lives
Comment by Ben G — July 16th, 2010 @ 2:11 am
ok Brian G,
you are up to date with all the cases going on all over the country.
But what does it have to do with this case and the article written?
you did not read what he wrote. he was not convicted in the article.
Where is your research on this matter? keep feeding unrelated facts, cloud up the waters. Here is an article right off the wfsb website
you going to have them all fired too and shut them down?
” Bethel police said a week before Hassiak’s death, O’Neil was on the wrong side of Route 58 and forced another driver off the road and into a tree. Bethel police said O’Neil didn’t stop and was charged with failure to keep right and evading responsibility. Police said they believe the same car was used in the hit-and-run of Hassiak.
O’Neil began a seven-month prison last month on a slew of charges including engaging in a pursuit and interfering with an officer in 2008, interfering with an officer, breach of peace and criminal mischief in 2007, and violating probation in 2009.”
He was released on that charge and he is out and kills Off. Hassiak a week later. Now, research a little more. How did they determine it was his car that hit him? Could it be the damage to it? Do your research. Oh, wait, tell me about another case in California….
Well if we were in Iran, this article would never be written, you would be stoned for your opinion. Why don’t you stick to the facts on this case, this article…. or do you lack the attention span?
Comment by Fred — July 16th, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
@Ben G
There is evidence, and from what I can see no one has openly said he was “guilty” so I can’t really see why you’re write a dissertation on it.
And also, Donald was more than simply a valued member of the community, but I don’t think you couldn’t possibly begin to comprehend that because you didn’t know him. So I would like to direct you to his family. They do not feel any suspect of this horrifc CRIME should be relieved of such a heavy bond. I want you sir to say this to the family of this magnificant man, tell them that they shouldn’t judge a man who hasn’t been tried yet. As childish as it sounds, I dare you. Tell them that they’re being nreasonable for their judgment. As Fred said, if it was your family, and someone was telling you that you’re being unreasonable for hoping that the person of interest is kept under a high bale, meaning there’s a lesser chance of his release onto the street, to go drive after drinking, and hurting another person. If you even know James O’Neill you’d know he’s a heavy drinker, and he’s been arrested for multiple motor vehicle incidents. And if you paid attention to this whole case even a little, you’d know when Donald Hassiak was killed, James bale was paid for, he was released, and if he was the person who hit Donald, then that was were the system let this family down. Anyone who could hit someone and leave them, you deserve to be locked up for good. He was not. In fact, he was released. And no he hasn’t been tried by a jury yet, therefore you can yell me I can’t dictate his sentence. Guess what buddy, I WON’T. I just served last month, on a completely unrelated case. Therefore what I say, doesn’t matter, so I’ll say it anyway. He should have been in jail during the time Officer Hassiak was hit and left and killed. And God help James, because if he was the murderer who commited this attrocity, lord be with him, for his concience will eat him whole.
As for telling the family your thoughts, here is the link to his niece’s facebook group. Why don’t you display your arrogance to her, I’d love to see how her and her family would put you in your place, along with the rest of the people who are left without this wonderful man.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122785894428252
As for judging James, this is wrong of John and Fred, but I will say that you have no right to lecture Mr. Brian about how to write a column. I assure you New Times will be around a long time, and Brian’s position is safe, and his work is lovely. Brian never assigned blame, he only stated he was a suspect. if your implying his writing style gives him a biased feel, that’s different. That’s not being biased, that’s being a human and empathizing with the family, something you clearly fail to do.
As for anything you feel you need to say, I don’t care, you’re opinion is just about about as insignificant as a man who’d hit and leave a man on the side of the road. Write me another dissertation, but I won’t be reading it. I’ve stated my beliefs, and anything else and I’d just be blowing hot air just like you.
-H.A.
Comment by H.A. — July 16th, 2010 @ 11:14 pm
@Fred – you question why my references to other cases has a bearing on this situation. If you would read my comments what I am addressing is not the case, but the position being taken by an employee of the newspaper that suggests that the correct person has been arrested. But let me turn the tables on you – what relevance do these other charges gave on this case ?
I agree that based on his record this guy is a hazard on the road, and I’ve said as much. But that does not come into play as evidence. Every day we read in the papers about accidents caused by DUI, by being distracted, etc. If this person’s history makes him guilty, there are hundreds of other people who also should be arrested. I recognize that the police arrested him based on other evidence, and if this evidence is proven in a COURT OF LAW – then that’s great. But what happens if he’s not guilty and the murdered is still on the loose ? Others are at risk.
Our press has lost a sense of accountability, and this is very much so the case at the NT. Case in point – there was an article from a couple of days ago in this paper which talks about how 2 people who have apparently been deceased were recently in negotiations over a property deal. Did they hold these negotiations from their graves ? Daily I see incorrect information and typographical errors in the paper. Street names printed often do not even exist – and such facts are easy to look into, just use the many online maps functions.
The writers and editors for this paper can’t even check that a street exists in Danbury, or that a spirits are not conducting real estate deals from the cemetery. The facts, and therefore the truth, are apparently unimportant to them. Yet they can stand up and say things such as “But there was a sense Tuesday that justice can finally start to flex its muscle and help one of Danbury’s finest rest in peace. ”
Hence stating that this person was guilty.
Debating this with you, however, is probably a waste of my time, since you refuse to listen to the point I am making, you are simply jumping to the conclusion you want to jump to. Just like this paper does.
@HA
I see you are yet another person who chooses to read what you want, rather than reading what is stated. At no point have I questions that ONeill may be guilty, at no point have I expressed anything but remorse over this tragic incident. I have no doubt it’s tragic for the family and friends. It would be much more tragic, however, if by some chance ONeill was not guilty and the person who committed this is still on the loose. The police have evidence that he caused this accident, and if found validated through our court systems – great, then there will be closure.
As to the family’s opinion – what about it ? They do not get to decide who is guilty. Again, we have this thing called the Constitution, along with other papers our country was founded on, which endeavor to create a fair system of law. It’s not perfect, it can be vague in it’s intent at times, but it’s one of the foundations of justice that were designed to help prevent unfair judgments.
As to the NT being around for a long time – questionable. Most print newspapers are struggling. Regional and local newspapers came into existence so that they could focus on local events – something larger papers could not do as well as costs of distribution. With the many new technologies of the internet both of these are circumvented. Papers are failing regularly, and you can even see the beginning of the demise of some of the CT papers as they are incorporated into Hearst. Functions are consolidated, more and more articles come from alternative (and sometimes questionable) sources. More and more local papers will fail. Want evidence – why do links such as the TOS for the newstimes lead to the CT Post, another paper owned by Hearst ?
Incidentally Brian, you may want to suggest that the webmaster fix your link to the TOS, as with so many other things in your paper – it’s wrong. As is contact us, and your privacy policy (and who knows what else).
Oh, and I have the right to challenge anyone on an article. It’s part of another right we are given – freedom of speech.
If my opinion is so insignificant, why do you bother to reply ?
Comment by Ben G — July 18th, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
@BenG
I did not see you tell the family this man is innocent until proven guilty. You seem to know it all and think you have all the answers.
You cannot stay on the subject. That at the time of the article, that O’Neill was a person of interest in the death Of Officer Hassiak,
and the feelings of everyone in the court room was that the bond should not have been lowered like it did. That is what Brian reported, and He reported about the the father that the sons will grow up without. He never “convicted” him. Well, here is the link to the arrest warrant. Read it, and think about how you made the family feel with your inconsiderate post, just because you don’t like the paper or the writer. Open your Eyes, and read. (you have to click to the fourth picture to see the warrant)
http://www.newstimes.com/news/articleGallery/O-Neill-enters-no-plea-in-court-Wednesday-585263.php
Comment by Fred — July 22nd, 2010 @ 10:49 pm
@Fred
It is you who are incapable of staying on the subject. You brought the family into the discussion, I did not. Now you bring up bail, a topic I never touched upon. What’s it going to be next, O’Neill’s beard ?
The issues I brought up are of due process and the responsibility of the News Times to the community to report on the news and not to shape it.
Since you insist on bringing up other topics to me, I’ll respond. Bail – I’ve not seen any official statements about why bail was reduced, and I would not expect to. Bail is typically set based on
a risk of flight, or concern of further risk to the public, amongst other factors. Given what appears to be a high risk of endangerment to the community based on his prior record and what seems to be a high risk of flight since he has minimal ties to the community I would question the reduction in bail also, but it’s not for me to decide.
As to the warrant, there is what appears to be sufficient evidence to justify the arrest. That still doesn’t make him guilty. Guilt in this country is decided by a trial by his peers in an approved judiciary system. This is not a police state.
I’ve already explained my justification for my statements about that which Brian reported on, you can scroll back and read it.
Comment by Ben G — July 25th, 2010 @ 10:31 pm