Police handcuffs and criminal fingerprints card

NEWBURGH, NY—District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced the conviction of James Rich, a 36-year-old Newburgh resident, on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a controlled substance. The jury returned their verdict on Monday, following a trial in Orange County Court.

Rich was found guilty of fatally impaling a 76-year-old man with a metal broomstick in their shared Newburgh residence on March 14, 2023. Following the murder, Rich was captured on surveillance footage disposing of blood-stained clothing and was later arrested while hiding in a closet in another apartment, where the victim’s cell phone was also found.

Facing a possible sentence of 25 years to life, Rich was remanded without bail and is scheduled for sentencing on August 27. His initial arrest occurred earlier in March 2023 for possessing cocaine, after which he was briefly released before committing the murder.

District Attorney Hoovler credited the successful conviction to the diligent efforts of the City of Newburgh Police and the New York State Police, highlighting the brutality of the crime and the complex nature of the case. Assistant District Attorneys Tanja Beemer and Nicholas Mangold were praised for their prosecution of the case, reflecting the DA’s office’s commitment to prosecuting violent crimes effectively.

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