A Town of Newburgh man pled guilty in Orange County Court today to repeatedly shooting his wife in the head with a BB gun before pistol whipping her. Their 7 year-old child reportedly witnessed the attack and called police.
During the early morning hours of July 25, 2021, Steven Lillo, age 39 of the Town of Newburgh, reportedly engaged in an argument with his wife at their home. During the argument, Lillo allegedly retrieved a BB gun and shot his wife in the head five times at close range, plus another time in her hand. He then repeatedly pistol whipped her with the BB gun, according to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler.
Several BBs became lodged in her head and she suffered lacerations to her forehead from the pistol whipping, Hoovler said.
Their shared 7 year-old child observed part of the attack and saved his mother by calling police.
Lillo pled guilty to Assault in the 2nd degree in court today, just before the trial was about to commence. At the plea proceedings, Lillo admitted to using the BB gun to cause his wife physical injury.
Under the plea agreement, the Court did not commit to a promised sentence. Lillo faces up to seven years in prison when he is sentenced on July 18, 2023.
“Domestic violence is insidious and intolerable,” Hoovler declared. “While this defendant perpetrated his brutality behind closed doors, the brave actions of the victims in the case ensured that his crimes were brought to light. I urge all victims of domestic violence to come forward and to know that there are resources and support available to them from my Office and agencies such as Fearless! Hudson Valley. I applaud the work of the police and prosecutors that brought this defendant to justice.”
