The arrests of three people last week for allegedly attempting to hire a person to kill an Ontario County Judge and an Assistant District Attorney who was involved in the rape trial of one of the suspects sent shockwaves through the Finger Lakes.
Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts said the mere attempt allegedly orchestrated by 21-year-old Alexander Kise, his girlfriend, and the 16-year-old strikes at the very heart of the criminal justice system.
“It is terrifying to the people who do this job on a regular basis,” said Ritts. “At a time when we are vilifying police officers and vilifying prosecutors to have this type of behavior really has an impact on our well-being.”
State Police say Kise, who was convicted in Ontario County Court in March of raping a teenage girl conspired with his girlfriend, Alydia Gater, and an unidentified 16-year-old to hire a hitman to kill the judge, ADA, and another person.
All three suspects are charged with attempted murder and conspiracy, all felonies, with Kise and his girlfriend also charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance.
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