Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler Announces Plea in

Newburgh Stabbing Homicide

Newburgh Man Pled to Manslaughter in the First Degree

Defendant Expected to be Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, Eric McCollum, 28, of Newburgh, pled guilty before the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown in Orange County Court to Manslaughter in the FirstDegree.  Under the plea agreement announced on the record at the time that McCollum pled guilty, it is expected that he will be sentenced to fifteen (15) years in state prison and five (5) years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on December 21, 2023.

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. 

“Petty disputes should never be resolved with violence,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The result of this defendant’s actions is both irreversible and tragic.  I hope the outcome of the case gives some degree of closure to the family of the victim.  I commend the dedication of the police involved in the investigation of this matter that ensured the defendant would be held responsible.  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.