Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler Announces Prison Sentence in Newburgh Stabbing Homicide
Defendant Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
Newburgh Man Previously Pled Guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, December 21, 2023, Eric McCollum, 28, of Newburgh, was sentenced before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown in Orange County Court to fifteen (15) years in state prison and five (5) years of post-release supervision in relation to his previously plea of guilty to Manslaughter in the FirstDegree.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on May 28, 2023 at approximately 1:45 am, McCollum and the victim engaged in a verbal dispute on Broadway in the City of Newburgh. During the course of the argument, McCollum stabbed the victim once in the torso, piercing his heart and then fled the scene. City of Newburgh Police officers responded to the scene and gave the victim immediate medical attention, however the victim later succumbed to his injuries. Detectives from the City of Newburgh Police Department later developed McCollum as the suspect and he was arrested days after the incident.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation and arrest of McCollum.
“Senseless violence can, tragically, result in irreversible consequences,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The sentence imposed in this case is just in light of the defendant’s admitted conduct. I hope the sentence imposed grants a degree of closure for the family of the victim. I thank the tireless and committed work of the police to help ensure a safer community for us all. My Office will continue to pursue lengthy sentences for those responsible for violent felonies in Orange County.”
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran and Assistant District Attorney Cassidy Turi.
Criminal charges are merely allegations that a defendant has committed violations of the criminal law, and as such they are not evidence of guilt. All defendants have a presumption of innocence and are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the burden of the State of New York to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.