Defendant Faces Up to Nine Years in State Prison for Slashing Man in Face

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Thursday, November 21, 2019, Barry Cooper, 27, of Middletown, pleaded guilty before Orange County Court Judge Craig Stephen Brown to Assault in the First Degree, in connection with September 21, 2019 slashing of a man outside of bar in the Town of Wallkill. At the time Cooper pleaded guilty, he admitted having slashed his victim in the face with a sharp-edged object at about 3:30 AM, outside a closed bar on Route 211. Prosecutors argued that the victim had been an innocent bystander who had attempted to intervene and diffuse an argument between the DJ that had just left the bar and Cooper and others who were with Cooper. The victim suffered serious injuries to his face as the result of the slashing.

Pursuant to the plea agreement which was placed on the record at the time the Cooper pleaded guilty, the District Attorney’s Office will recommend that he be sentenced to nine years in state prison when he is sentenced on February 11, 2020.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation of the case and the arrest of Cooper.

“It is both tragic and ironic that this victim, who was altruistically attempting to prevent violence, must now carry the marks of this defendant’s cowardly and senseless attack on his face,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “A lengthy state prison sentence is deserved here and hopefully will deter others who might be tempted to use weapons or violence to settle disputes.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Purcell.

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.