On June 21st at approximately 12:15 am, Port Jervis City Police Officers responded to the City’s Riverside Park located in the City’s 1st Ward for a report of a male who was suffering from a stab wound.
Officers arrived at the scene and located a 19-year-old Pennsylvania male suffering from stab wounds to his lung and a 22-year-old Port Jervis male inside the park who was suffering from physical injuries sustained during an altercation. In addition, officers located a 44-year-old Port Jervis male lying on the ground located in a nearby business establishment parking lot located on Jersey Avenue presenting multiple stab wounds. Officers performed emergency medical care upon the victims and they were subsequently transported to Bon Secours Community Hospital by Port Jervis EMS and Port Jervis Police for emergency treatment. Both stabbing victims received life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to Westchester Medical Center located in Valhalla, NY for emergency surgery.
Mutual aid from Officers with the Eastern Pike Regional Police Department (PA) and Troopers from the New York State Police and NYSP Forensic Identification Unit actively assisted Port Jervis Police with the investigation into this incident.
The alleged knife used in the assault was recovered in a heavily wooded area adjacent to the Delaware River at Riverside Park by the City’s new Canine Team, Officer Andrew Haniuk and his canine partner Roan.
Port Jervis Police charged Maretta L. Leonard, age 19, of Daisy Drive, Port Jervis, with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B felony, Assault in the First Degree, a Class B felony, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. Leonard is currently being held in the Port Jervis City Lock-Up Facility without bail pending a Port Jervis City Court Arraignment.
Talmadge Leonard Jr, age 21, of West Main Street, Port Jervis, was charged with Assault in the Second Degree and Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, both Class D Felonies. Leonard is currently being held in the Port Jervis City Lock-Up Facility without bail pending a Port Jervis City Court appearance.
Port Jervis City Detectives are continuing the investigation into this incident with the assistance of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police Forensic Identification Unit.
Police are investigating a potential motive behind this attack. Persons with information pertaining to this incident are requested to call Port Jervis City Police Detectives at 845-858-4003.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police 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.
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