A man who has already been to the penitentiary three times may soon enjoy a fourth visit after pleading guilty to a viscous slashing in the City of Newburgh.
Melfred Williams, age 52, pled guilty to slashing a life-long acquaintance in the neck with a knife on Lander Street on May 21, 2022. Several witnesses who saw the slashing immediately rendered first aid to the victim and rushed him to St. Luke’s Hospital nearby. Williams was subsequently arrested by the City of Newburgh Police Department.
On Tuesday, the jailbird pled guilty in Orange County Court to Assault in the 1st degree. He faces 15 years in the state penitentiary plus five years of parole. He will be sentenced on March 23, 2023.
Public records depict Williams’ lengthy criminal history.
In 1991, Williams began his first stint in the slammer for Manslaughter in the 2nd degree and Assault in the 1st degree, both committed in Orange County. He was sentenced to 6 to 13 years in the pen. He was released in 2003.
Just three years later, in 2006, he began his second visit to the penitentiary for Attempted Burglary in the 3rd degree, which was also committed in Orange County. He was sentenced to 18 months to three years in the slammer. After serving 22 months, he won a parole and was sprung in April 2008.
The next year, in 2009, the jailbird returned to the bin for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, also committed in Orange County. He was sentenced to up to eight years behind bars. At some point, he won another parole, but was unsuccessful and returned to finish this sentence. He was finally released in 2019.
The ex-convict enjoyed freedom for three years before his most recent crime.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation and arrest of Williams following the slashing.
“This senseless, brazen, and brutal attack demonstrates a complete disregard for human life and is deserving of a lengthy state prison sentence,” said Hoovler. “In contrast, the selfless actions of the bystanders who rendered aid to the victim exemplifies the best aspects of what it means to live in a close-knit and caring community.”
