Yonkers Woman Sentenced For
Running Over Her Neighbor
Several Times

(New York-AP, September 25, 2001) - A Yonkers woman who ended a

lengthy feud with her 74-year-old neighbor by repeatedly driving over

him with her car has been sentenced to 20 years to life in state

prison.

Forty-one-year-old Clunie Bernard was convicted in June of

second-degree murder in the death of William Taino. He was crushed by

Bernard's car May 3rd, 2000, as he sat in his driveway. She sat

stoically at the defense table yesterday as Taino's eldest daughter

spoke of the void she had left in the victim's family.

Westchester County Judge Lester Adler handed down a compromise

sentence that was between the 25 years to life wanted by the

prosecution and the 15-years requested by the defense. Judge Adler

criticized Bernard for her lack of remorse.

Taino and Bernard were neighbors who frequently argued about noise

from lawn equipment, cars parking on the street and snow removal.

On May Third, 2000, they got into a heated argument while Taino was

blowing leaves from his yard. Bernard swung a pickax, striking the

leaf-blower in Taino's hands. He went to the nearby Yonkers police

precinct and was told to wait for patrol car at his home. While he

sat in his driveway Bernard snapped. She got into her car and drove

over Taino as many as six times and then stood calmly, waiting for

police.