An ex-convict who stabbed a passenger on a commercial bus in the Town of Newburgh last year is heading back to the slammer for his fourth visit. The Newburgh News first broke the story live as it unfolded during the evening of August 26, 2022 (story here).
Three-time ex-con Maleek Phillips, age 38 of Albany, admitted in court that he was aboard a commercial bus traveling from Albany to New York City when he began threatening passengers on the bus. As the bus traveled through the Town of Newburgh via the New York State Thruway, Phillips admitted that he began arguing with one of the passengers, pulled out a knife, and cut the victim in the neck and chest. The injuries caused the victim to suffer a collapsed lung.
Phillips then fled the bus and cut his own throat. Police located him nearby with the knife still in his hand.
Today in Orange County Court, Phillips was sentenced to ten years in prison. He previously pled guilty to Attempted Assault in the 1st degree.
Orange County District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police and the Town of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation and arrest of Phillips. “Whatever issues the defendant had, nothing justified this unwarranted attack on a completely innocent victim,” Hoovler observed. “No one expects a peaceful bus trip to turn into the violent nightmare this defendant created. Miraculously, the victim in this case survived the serious injuries caused by the defendant.”
On October 30, 2007, Phillips went to the state penitentiary on felony weapons charges stemming from an incident in the Bronx, according to public records. He was sentenced to up to three years in prison. After serving two and a half years, he was granted parole.
While Phillips was on parole, he was sent back to the pen on new charges. According to news reports, he allegedly passed a note to a bank teller demanding money. He reportedly fought with a bank employee and wrestled on the floor before police arrived and busted him.
On March 7, 2011, Phillips was re-admitted to the slammer on burglary charges for this incident. He was sentenced to two to four years in prison. At some point, he was granted another early parole, but violated it and returned to the slammer in 2013. He won yet another parole on January 10, 2014.
While on parole once again, he was sent back to prison for more new charges. On June 17, 2014, he went back to prison yet again, this time for two new burglary charges out of the Bronx. He was sentenced to three to six years and won another parole on June 18, 2019.
