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Son of Daily News bigwig busted in "kegs and eggs" scandalALBANY, Mar 17, 2011 (Times Union - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The first student to surrender after police released photographs of Saturday's "Kegs and Eggs" melee is the son of a top New York Daily News editor. Evan Sapio, a University at Albany freshman, turned himself in Wednesday night after recognizing his photograph in the gallery of students who allegedly took part in the riot on Hudson Avenue. Police released photographs of dozens of people they want to question about the incident. Sapio, 18, is the son of Bob Sapio, the senior executive editor of the New York Daily News, who told the Times Union on Thursday, "I'm going to kill him." The Daily News editorialized Wednesday that the raucous scene showed "how debauched and destructive young people can be when their supposedly supervising adults accept an anything-goes atmosphere." Evan Sapio is accused of joining the group of students who moved a 2000 Mazda sedan into the middle of Hudson Avenue and then trashed it, according to court papers filed before his arraignment Thursday morning in City Court. Sapio was arraigned on charges of criminal mischief and first-degree riot. The mischief charge is a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison. On his Facebook page, Sapio uses a photograph of out-of-control actor Charlie Sheen. In a phone interview with the Times Union, the father said he would "take care of this myself," then added, "He's 18. I'm worried about him." Sapio said it was the first time his son had been in trouble. "I'm upset about the whole damn thing," he said. The trashing of the car was caught on a videotape posted on YouTube. Police said Evan Sapio and others caused $6,700 worth of damage to the vehicle. Videos of the destruction went viral on the Internet and police used still photographs taken from the videos to create a most-wanted list of suspects. Police said Evan Sapio told them he was "on the Times Union website and saw that he was one of the people in the Hudson Avenue St. Patrick's Day incident." According to court records, Sapio said he believed he was the man shown in pictures 12 and 15. Sapio's attorney, Michael Jurena, downplayed his client's role, saying the teen was among many people who helped pushed the car but then walked away. "His involvement is less than many others," he said. "To his credit, he did turn himself in," he said. Jurena said Sapio has withdrawn from UAlbany and "feels terrible." "He hasn't slept or eaten in days," Jurena said. The Daily News editorial faulted SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, UAlbany President George Philip and the parents of the students. "These were your young charges, Ms. Chancellor, Mr. President, Mr. and Mrs. Parents. This is the culture you let sprout into criminal proceedings," the newspaper went on to say. Read the editorial here. To see more of the Times Union, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesunion.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Times Union, Albany, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |