FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: MARCH 27, 2017
RE: PRESS RELEASE - Man
Pleads Insanity in Ulster County Court for Menacing State Police Officers
A Pine Bush man pleaded “Not Responsible by Reason of
Mental Disease or Defect” today in Ulster County Court to an indictment
charging him with the felonies of Menacing a Police Officer and Reckless
Endangerment in the First Degree, and a misdemeanor of Criminal Possession of a
Weapon in the Fourth Degree.
Cory Larson, age 32, entered his plea on Friday regarding
an incident that occurred on May 24, 2016, when he called 911 to report that intruders
were breaking into his home at 58 Vista Maria Road in Pine Bush, Ulster County,
and who shot at him, and that he was shooting back at them. He also told the
911 Operator that one of the intruders was in his bed and he commanded the
alleged intruder to “shut up, a..hole.” He told the Operator that he was going
to shoot the intruder again.
State Police Troopers arrived at that address and found
that Mr. Larson was alone and shooting his shotgun indiscriminately inside his
home. The officers heard and saw the impact of the shots and had to take cover.
At one point Mr. Larson pointed his gun through a window at an officer but did
not discharge a shot.
Cory Larson eventually surrendered and was taken into
custody by the officers without any injury to anyone or further damage to
personal property.
The investigation that followed revealed numerous shotgun
shells which had been discharged all over the home at the walls, his bed and
pillows, other personal property, and through his windows in the direction of
the walkup to his door. There also were evidence of drug and alcohol use, but
there was no evidence of anyone else being in the home or injured.
A forensic psychiatric examination of Mr. Larson determined
that at the time of his conduct he was suffering from drug and alcohol
withdrawals, hallucinations, and a pre-existing real brain injury which he had
sustained from an impact at a previous construction job. As a result of these
conditions Mr. Larson lacked substantial capacity to know or appreciate the
nature and consequences of his conduct on May 24, 2016, or that such conduct
was wrong. The DA’s Office consented to this plea.
Following his plea today Mr. Larson was committed by Ulster
County Court Judge Donald Williams to the custody and care of the New York
State Commissioner of Mental Health for treatment and further progressive
assessment of his mental condition. If he is determined to be dangerously
mentally ill Mr. Larson will be held and treated in a secure mental health
facility in the State.
Assistant District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji prosecuted the
case. The defendant was represented by
Jamie Greenwald of Chester, New York.
