Hudson Valley Post — Flash Briefing for Tuesday, July 30

Governor Cuomo has signed legislation decriminalizing marijuana use in New York. The new bill reduces the penalty for unlawful marijuana possession to a violation punishable by a fine. The law will also create a process for individuals with certain weed convictions to have their records erased. Governor Cuomo says the legislation addresses racial and ethnic disparities, as New York's existing pot laws affect African American and Latino communities the most.

A Hudson Valley man faces life in prison following the murder of a local man who was protecting his son. Officials say Maurice Stansberry Sr. and two others robbed Mark Lancaster’s son at gunpoint during a marijuana deal in the Town of Ulster in Dec. of 2018. Lancaster then chased the getaway car and was fatally gunned down by Stansberry. On Friday, a jury found the 39-year-old from Kingston guilty of murder. He faces 25 years to life in prison when sentenced.

A Saturday night out at the Newburgh waterfront ended with bloodshed. Police say early Sunday morning they responded near Billy Joes for reports of shots fired, however after speaking with security, the call was deemed to be unfounded. Later, a taxi driver at the Newburgh-Beacon ferry parking lot told them an incident happened and police found blood on the ground and evidence of shooting. A short time later, police were told about 2 gunshot victims who went to local hospitals, but both victims wouldn’t speak with officers. Police believe there were around 30 people in the area at the time of the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

A Hudson Valley man was killed when his motorcycle collided with car. On Saturday around 11:30 a.m., while making a left turn from Route 209 onto Route 80 in Deerpark a Honda was hit by a Harley Davidson which was traveling in the opposite direction. Police say the operator of the motorcycle, 58-year-old William Fichthorn of Monticello was ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Honda and two passengers suffered non-life threating injuries.