[SARATOGA COUNTY] — Just before jury selection was set to begin today, the defendant, John F. Lincoln-Lynch, entered a guilty plea today in connection with a hit-and-run incident that occurred on Main Street in South Glens Falls on February 27, 2022. The defendant pled guilty to the top count of the indictment, Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting (Death), a class D felony, in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law 600(2)(a) and (c).
The indictment stemmed from a vehicle-pedestrian crash on the evening of February 27, 2022 at approximately 7:28 p.m. near the Stewart’s in South Glens Falls. The defendant struck and killed South Glens Falls native Paul Trombley with his vehicle and then fled the scene.
Although there were no eyewitnesses to the fatal collision, prompt and thorough investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office led to a significant breakthrough in the case two days later. Members of the Sheriff’s Office recovered pieces of the vehicle involved and brought them to a local paint shop, where experts determined the parts to be from a Subaru Forester.
With this information, investigators from the Sheriff’s Office canvassed the South Glens Falls area and eventually, their efforts led to the location of the defendant and his vehicle at his residence on Bluebird Drive in South Glens Falls.
Despite the absence of eyewitnesses to the collision, members of the New York State Police Computer Forensic team made significant strides in piecing together the events from the evening of the collision. Their extensive examination of cell phone tower location data and evidence extracted from Mr. Lincoln-Lynch’s cell phone provided compelling circumstantial evidence. This evidence placed the defendant at the scene of the crime and conclusively linked him to the crash.
District Attorney Karen A. Heggen stated, “This case underscores the importance of thorough investigative work and the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement agencies. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police Computer Forensic team demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in piecing together the evidence that led us to this resolution. Our community owes them a debt of gratitude. While nothing can truly compensate for the loss suffered by the Trombley family, we hope that this guilty plea brings them a measure of comfort and closure. Our thoughts remain with them during this difficult time.”
We extend our gratitude to the diligent efforts of Inv. Matthew Kavanagh and Inv. Matthew Robinson of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Jovonna Kretser at the New York State Police Computer Forensic Lab, and all involved in bringing this case to a resolution. Additionally, we would like to thank local businesses for their invaluable assistance in providing surveillance footage, which played a crucial role in the apprehension of the defendant.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Shawn M. Lescault, lead prosecutor in this case, stated, “In cases like these, where there are no eyewitnesses and the evidence is circumstantial, securing a conviction is a formidable challenge. I commend the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, particularly the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, whose unwavering commitment to justice has been instrumental. I’m also incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work demonstrated by my team at the District Attorney’s Office. It’s a testament to their tireless pursuit of justice that we have reached this point. While there may not have been witnesses to the collision, the evidence we’ve assembled paints a clear picture of what transpired that evening. Our primary focus has always been to ensure justice for Paul and his family, and today’s plea is a significant step towards that goal.”
Assistant District Attorneys Ryan Murphy, Kayla Potter and Johnny Destino assisted in the prosecution of the case.
As a result of today’s plea, Mr. Lincoln-Lynch now awaits sentencing. The defendant is expected to receive an indeterminate state prison term of up to 3 years. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 31st at 10 a.m.