Attorneys trade accusations in Wally Backman harassment trial

Backman is accused of harassment and criminal mischief in an alleged dispute last summer with his live-in girlfriend, Amanda Byrnes.

News 12 Staff

Jan 22, 2020, 7:20 PM

Updated 1,552 days ago

Share:

Attorneys trade accusations in Wally Backman harassment trial
Wednesday was the second day in the harassment trial of Wally Backman, the current Long Island Ducks manager and a World Series champion with the 1986 New York Mets.
Backman is accused of harassment and criminal mischief in an alleged dispute last summer with his live-in girlfriend, Amanda Byrnes.
On Tuesday, a Riverhead police officer testified that Byrnes had a cut on her left hand when he responded to a 911 call at Byrnes' house. The officer testified Byrnes said Backman threw her up against a wall, twisted her hand and prevented her from calling police.
Backman's defense attorney says police records show Byrnes calling 911 on several previous boyfriends, making similar allegations of abuse.
"She's like a serial accuser," says Backman's attorney William Keahon. "Every time a boyfriend realizes how crazy she is - he wants to break up and leave, she won't let him leave, she steals the keys, the phone and calls the police."
Byrnes' attorney John Ray says says his client is not on trial.
"Amanda has an imperfect life as we all do. She's not on trial for her imperfect life," says Ray. He added that it does not excuse any abuse of her.
 


More from News 12
2:12
Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

Sachem schools consider staffing and program cuts, piercing tax cap as budget vote looms

2:35
Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

Sunny and mild Tuesday before rain returns Wednesday

0:17
Flames rip through North Amityville home

Flames rip through North Amityville home

0:51
NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

NCC working with food truck vendors to provide food for rest of semester

0:26
USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

USDA warns of ground beef that may be contaminated with E.coli

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

1:42
Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

Made on Long Island: Nicolock Paving Stones in Lindenhurst

0:48
9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

9 steps to take if your ‘fur-ever’ friend goes missing

0:51
State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

State police: Trooper struck in the face by combative driver during Southern State Parkway traffic stop

1:54
Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

Ronkonkoma woman pleads not guilty to 49 counts of animal cruelty

1:33
Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

Hampton Bays woman retrieves phone, wallet she accidently dumped into recycling bin nearly 3 weeks ago

1:55
Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

Long Islanders taught about dangers of toxic pollutants in drinking water

0:16
Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

Police: Long Beach man punched nurse in abdomen at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital

1:59
Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

Long Island gets introduced to matzah pizza; proceeds will go toward charities

0:32
Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

Spartans chosen as new mascot for Brentwood school district

0:19
Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

Police: 2 people hospitalized following Lawrence crash

2:12
Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

Amityville schools to receive $2 million from new state budget to help reduce budget deficit, save jobs

0:17
Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

Man wanted for stealing $1,000 in merchandise from Centereach store

1:30
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Brookhaven Animal Shelter on April 22

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Brookhaven Animal Shelter on April 22

0:48
Nonprofit environmental group hosts discussion on climate change at Jones Beach event

Nonprofit environmental group hosts discussion on climate change at Jones Beach event