Binghamton man pleads not guilty after allegedly killing a pedestrian while fleeing police

Jeff Murray, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
·2 min read
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A Binghamton man indicted for murder and multiple other felonies in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a Johnson City woman has pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Following his indictment by a Broome County grand jury, 20-year-old Rajee Almashni was arraigned Friday in Broome County Court on charges of second-degree murder, second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident, along with 13 other related charges.

The charges stem from a March 6 incident that started outside the Oakdale Commons in Johnson City, according to village police.

Officers responded to the shopping center around 4:20 p.m. to check on the welfare of man who witnesses said was intoxicated and had entered as many as two vehicles in the parking lot, police said.

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When they approached the suspect, later identified as Almashni, he reportedly fled the scene, driving south at a high rate of speed.

Seconds later, Almashni's vehicle struck Elizabeth Atkinson, 72, of Johnson City, as she was leaving a store at the mall, police said.

After Almashni pulled out of the parking lot, officers pursued him over several village streets before his car became disabled and he fled on foot before being taken into custody, according to police.

Atkinson was taken to UHS Wilson Hospital, where she later died.

Almashni faces between 15 and 20 years to life in prison if convicted on the second-degree murder charge, Broome County District Attorney Michael Korchak said.

Following his arraignment, Almashni was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail to await further court action.

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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton man pleads not guilty to murder for fatal hit and run crash