TO: MEDIA
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: AUGUST 30, 2011
RE: PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V RICHARD GIGA
On August 30, 2011 Richard Giga pled guilty to Murder in the Second Degree regarding the October 6,2010 stabbing and death of Leland Wood. Giga also admitted that, during the course of fleeing from the scene he stabbed Keri Reynolds, causing her serious injury.
Giga, from Rockland County, was a patient at the Renaissance Project, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Wawarsing. Giga had been sentenced to complete a rehab program at Renaissance by the Rockland County Court in regard to a Grand Larceny case from 2009.
On October 5, 2010 Giga left the facility without permission. He returned at approximately 2:30 AM, went to the security guard’s office where Leland Wood was working and, we believe, demanded the keys to Mr. Woods’ truck. When the victim refused Giga stabbed him numerous times with a kitchen knife that the defendant had stolen from the facility.
Ms. Reynolds was a nurse on the late shift working at Renaissance. She arrived at work and witnessed Giga getting out of Mr. Woods’ truck who then approached her. She noticed blood on his hands. She then went into the center and observed Mr. Wood in the security office obviously the victim of a violent attack. She then left the facility to go to the Ellenville Police Department to seek help. Giga entered Ms. Reynolds’ car and, approximately 1 ½ miles from the facility stabbed her, causing the car to overturn. Moments later a good Samaritan came upon the car wreck and Giga fled into the woods.
A manhunt ensued which was spearheaded by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff VanBlarcum set up a command center at the Ellenville Police Department. The Sheriff’s Department was aided by the New York State Police, the Ellenville Police Department, as well as other area agencies. Giga was apprehended approximately 6:00 PM on the 6th without further incident.
Giga’s plea was taken before Ulster County Court Judge Donald A. Williams who scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2011.
At the time of the plea Giga was advised by Judge Williams that he could receive up to 25 to life in State Prison on the Murder conviction and that, in all likelihood, that would be his sentence. District Attorney Holley Carnright stated “we can never know exactly what goes thru the mind of a person who commits murder. The evidence suggests that Giga was angry and despondent as a result of his girlfriend having broken off their relationship the previous Friday. It appears that the murder occurred as a result of Giga trying to get a vehicle to drive to his girlfriend’s house in Saugerties.”
The case drew regional attention when it was learned that a murderer, possibly armed, was at large. The entire community was warned and was on edge. In fact, the Ellenville Schools were closed as a result. “The police agencies involved in this matter should be commended for their efficiency and professionalism in the way that they protected the community and apprehended the defendant,” stated District Attorney Carnright.
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: AUGUST 30, 2011
RE: PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V RICHARD GIGA
On August 30, 2011 Richard Giga pled guilty to Murder in the Second Degree regarding the October 6,2010 stabbing and death of Leland Wood. Giga also admitted that, during the course of fleeing from the scene he stabbed Keri Reynolds, causing her serious injury.
Giga, from Rockland County, was a patient at the Renaissance Project, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Wawarsing. Giga had been sentenced to complete a rehab program at Renaissance by the Rockland County Court in regard to a Grand Larceny case from 2009.
On October 5, 2010 Giga left the facility without permission. He returned at approximately 2:30 AM, went to the security guard’s office where Leland Wood was working and, we believe, demanded the keys to Mr. Woods’ truck. When the victim refused Giga stabbed him numerous times with a kitchen knife that the defendant had stolen from the facility.
Ms. Reynolds was a nurse on the late shift working at Renaissance. She arrived at work and witnessed Giga getting out of Mr. Woods’ truck who then approached her. She noticed blood on his hands. She then went into the center and observed Mr. Wood in the security office obviously the victim of a violent attack. She then left the facility to go to the Ellenville Police Department to seek help. Giga entered Ms. Reynolds’ car and, approximately 1 ½ miles from the facility stabbed her, causing the car to overturn. Moments later a good Samaritan came upon the car wreck and Giga fled into the woods.
A manhunt ensued which was spearheaded by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff VanBlarcum set up a command center at the Ellenville Police Department. The Sheriff’s Department was aided by the New York State Police, the Ellenville Police Department, as well as other area agencies. Giga was apprehended approximately 6:00 PM on the 6th without further incident.
Giga’s plea was taken before Ulster County Court Judge Donald A. Williams who scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2011.
At the time of the plea Giga was advised by Judge Williams that he could receive up to 25 to life in State Prison on the Murder conviction and that, in all likelihood, that would be his sentence. District Attorney Holley Carnright stated “we can never know exactly what goes thru the mind of a person who commits murder. The evidence suggests that Giga was angry and despondent as a result of his girlfriend having broken off their relationship the previous Friday. It appears that the murder occurred as a result of Giga trying to get a vehicle to drive to his girlfriend’s house in Saugerties.”
The case drew regional attention when it was learned that a murderer, possibly armed, was at large. The entire community was warned and was on edge. In fact, the Ellenville Schools were closed as a result. “The police agencies involved in this matter should be commended for their efficiency and professionalism in the way that they protected the community and apprehended the defendant,” stated District Attorney Carnright.
