St. Albans man faces 25 years

William Hodges, 33, a St Albans resident, was sentenced to 25 years in jail for shooting a New York City Police Officer in the hip.
The offense occurred on November 12, 1999 at approximately 10:00 p.m. Police Officer David Gonzalez was called to a building at 114-05 170th Street after a call was placed indicating that a man, possibly in possession of a firearm, was in the area. Gonzalez encountered Hodges in the building and proceeded to frisk him feeling what he believed to be a weapon.
While placing the defendant under arrest a struggle ensued and Hodges removed Gonzalez’s 9mm police-issued gun from his holster firing one shot into Gonzalez’s hip. A .38 caliber revolver was later found on the floor.
Hodges was arrested on November 12, 1999, but the charges were dismissed in December 2002 when Justice Laura Blackburne ruled that the defendant’s right to a speedy trial had been denied. Justice Blackburne’s ruling was ultimately overturned on appeal and the charges were reinstated two years later.
Hodges was convicted after trial on March 27, of this year. He was found guilty of Assault in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree and Resisting Arrest.