George Herring arraigned on charges including Attempted Murder in the Second Degree for attacking woman with a machete.
Victim suffered a skull fracture, an amputated finger and had two fingers surgically reattached.
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Monday, July 21, 2025, George Herring, age 63, of Newburgh, was arraigned in Orange County Court on an indictment charging him Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree, in connection with a machete attack on a woman in the City of Newburgh. Herring was remanded back to Orange County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail, or $250,000 fully secured bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond, and is next scheduled in court for a conference on July 28, 2025.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on July 12, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Herring, who is homeless, was by the Quassaick Creek, in the vicinity of 73 Bridge Street, in the City of Newburgh, when he became involved in an argument with a woman, who was also homeless, bathing in an area of creek which Herring treats as his own. It is alleged that after ordering the woman who was bathing to leave the creek, Herring came out of the woods behind her, striking her with a machete in the back of her head, as well as with a hard object. The victim suffered serious physical injuries including a skull fracture, an amputated finger and two fingers having to be surgically reattached. The victim was flown to Westchester Medical Center where she underwent surgery.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Department for their investigation which led to the arrest of the defendant, and for the compassionate aid they rendered to the victim.
“The unprovoked violence allegedly perpetrated in this case is particularly terrifying given that the victim was naked, and at her most vulnerable when she was attacked with a machete,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “I am grateful for the fast response of the City of Newburgh Police Department, who quickly obtained aid for the victim and apprehended the defendant. No one deserves to be so brutally injured for merely being in a public space. The community must be protected from those who use violence to settle arguments.”
The case is 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.