District Attorney Hoovler Announces Indictments in Two Courtroom Assaults
Arthur Thomas and Donnie Smith Charged with Attempted Assault in the Second Degree for Allegedly Attacking Their Attorneys in Court
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Arthur Thomas, age 47, of Newburgh, and Donnie Smith, age 33, of Newburgh, were each arraigned in Orange County Court on indictments separatelycharging them with Attempted Assault in the Second Degree for having attacked their attorneys in court. Both men were remanded back to the Orange County Jail without bail and their cases are next scheduled for June 17, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on May 16, 2025, a jury trial had commenced in Orange County Court related to a murder Arthur Thomas allegedly committed in the City of Newburgh in 2020. During the court proceedings, Thomas allegedly attacked his attorney, which resulted in the disruption of the court proceedings and the granting of a mistrial. The murder case will again be scheduled for trial at a later date.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on May 21, 2025, during a court appearance in Orange County Court relative to Attempted Murder and related charges allegedly committed by Donnie Smith in the City of Newburgh in 2024, Smith allegedly attacked his attorney, which resulted in the disruption of those court proceedings.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Office of Court Administrationfor their assistance during the investigation.
“The sanctity of the courtroom and the safety of all parties who enter must be maintained in order to ensure the proper administration of justice,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “While I am thankful that the attorneys in these matters avoided serious injury, we nonetheless will seek to hold accountable anyone who endangers anyone in court or attempts to disrupt the proceedings. Defense attorneys do difficult and thankless work and no one deserves to feel unsafe while simply doing their job. I thank the brave men and women at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office tasked with transporting prisoners, and the court officers with the Office of Court Administration who maintain order in the courtroom. These professionals remain the front line of defense against potentially dangerous situations in court.”
The cases are being prosecuted by Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran.
This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.