Newburgh Man Pleads Guilty After Street Assault, Prosecutors Seek Long Term Term

A plea entered on December 8 resolved a case that shocked residents of the City of Newburgh and prompted a swift investigation by local police. Twenty year old Dave Fulford admitted to first degree attempted assault for an attack on September 3 at about 7 40 p.m., when he ran up behind the victim on Van Ness Street and slashed him once in the face with a sharp object. The victim suffered a large laceration that required stitches.

Under the terms reported by prosecutors, authorities will recommend an eight year prison term followed by five years of post release supervision when Fulford is sentenced on February 17. During plea proceedings he acknowledged attempting to cause serious physical injury by using a dangerous instrument, and he later admitted to police that he had slashed the victim.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler described the act in stark terms. "This defendant's admitted conduct is unspeakably violent," Hoovler said. "Petty disagreements should never be settled by way of life altering acts of violence. The thorough investigation completed by police in this case ensured that this defendant was held to account for his crimes. The City of Newburgh will be safer while this offender is serving the significant sentence anticipated."

Hoovler also thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for the investigation that led to Fulford's arrest. Local law enforcement officials say their work focused on gathering witness statements and forensic evidence that established the sequence of events and tied Fulford to the assault.

For residents of Orange County the case underscores concerns about street level violence and the impact of impulsive attacks on victims and neighborhoods. The visible nature of the assault and the extent of the victim's injuries have prompted community leaders to stress the importance of reporting suspicious activity and cooperating with police. With sentencing set for mid February, local officials and residents will be watching how the court responds to prosecutors recommended sentence and how it shapes public confidence in safety across the city.