MELLENVILLE–A 25-year-old man, who was initially in critical condition at the Albany Medical Center after being repeatedly struck in the head with the butt end of a BB gun rifle, is improving.
Livingston State Police said they responded to a 911 call at an apartment in the hamlet on Route 217 in the early morning hours of June 17. An investigation revealed that following a beer-drinking party at a nearby residence, Donald Wallace, who lives in the hamlet apartment where police were called, was fighting with a neighbor in his kitchen. The neighbor’s brother, William A. Brooks Jr., 19, intervened in the fight, and hit Mr. Wallace several times in the head with the butt end of a BB gun rifle, police say.
The Philmont and Greenport rescue squads took Mr. Wallace, who sustained head injuries, to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson. He was later taken to the Albany Medical Center due to the severity of his injuries, police say.
Mr. Brooks, who is on parole, was charged with first degree assault, a class B felony, and third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony. Arraigned in Livingston Court before Justice Robert Moore, Mr. Brooks was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail.
Police say the initial fight began as an argument over “beer money,” less than $20, and that Mr. Wallace’s three-year-old daughter was in the apartment at the time of the beating.
Mr. Wallace remains at AMC, but his condition is improving.
Hillsdale
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary at the Hillsdale IGA. They were called there the morning of June 17.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lieutenant James Andrews said the supermarket was forcibly entered, but would not reveal what, if anything, was taken.
Chatham
Justin M. Watson, 21, of Valatie was charged with unlawful imprisonment, menacing, criminal mischief, petit larceny and harassment by Chatham Police, June 3 at 4:30 p.m.
Mr. Watson allegedly held a woman against her will, would not let her leave her residence and took her cell phone away from her so she could not call for help.
Arraigned in Chatham Village Court before Justice Mark Portin, Mr. Watson was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $1,500 bail pending a later return court date.
Canaan
Tyquan Boykin, 16, of Yonkers was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief by New Lebanon State Police, June 15.
Troopers were called to the school at the Berkshire Farm Center and Service for Youth, where school personnel told police that Tyquan allegedly intentionally broke a screen and window.
He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to in Canaan Court.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Robert James, 43, of Valatie was charged with driving while intoxicated by Livingston State Police following a two-car property damage accident on Hawley Road in Kinderhook, June 19 at 11 p.m. Mr. James was driving south when his vehicle struck a northbound vehicle. No one was hurt. Police did not release the name of the second driver. Mr. James gave a breath sample and was released to a family member. He was issued tickets returnable in Kinderhook Town Court in July.
*Pietrzyk Andrzej, 30, of Maspeth was charged with driving while intoxicated and speeding by Livingston State Police during a traffic stop on State Route 23, June 13.
He was released with tickets returnable in Hillsdale Court.
*John Kenny, 37, of Red Hook was charged with driving while intoxicated by Livingston State Police, June 17.
Police say Mr. Kenny nearly hit their patrol car head-on when they were both traveling on State Route 9H in Claverack.
Mr. Kenny refused all tests and was arraigned in Claverack Court, where he was released to appear at a later date.
*Kelsey Murphy, 19, of Copake was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, driving while ability impaired by drugs, a violation of Public Health Law for possession of a controlled substance outside its original container and vehicle and traffic law charges by Livingston State Police, June 15.
Ms. Murphy was stopped on State Route 23, Copake for failure to dim her headlamps for oncoming traffic. During the stop police say they found her to have hydrocodone pills and marijuana and to be impaired by those drugs.
She was released with tickets returnable in Copake Court.
*Jeremy Whalen, 19, of Putnam Valley was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (Suboxone), unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding by Livingston State Police, June 12. Mr. Whalen was stopped on the Taconic State Parkway in Taghkanic for speeding. He was released after he posted station bail. He will reappear in Taghkanic Court.
*Cory Timberlake, 21, of Germantown was charged with driving while intoxicated, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlicensed operation and other traffic law violations by Livingston State Police, June 12.
Police stopped Mr. Timberlake on State Route 9H in Livingston for driving northbound in the southbound lane and for speeding. He was released with multiple tickets returnable in Livingston Court.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.
