Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announces that Dylan K. Vella, (dob 6/21/93), of Angel Road, Corinth, New York pleaded guilty today in Saratoga County Court before Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III, to one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-1 felony in violation of Penal Law Section 125.25(1); two counts of Assault in the First Degree, class “B” violent felonies, in violation of Penal Law Section 120.10(1); one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class “D” violent felony, in violation of Penal Law Section 120.05(2) and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class “D” violent felony, in violation of Penal Law Section 130.65(1) crimes perpetrated on April 7, 2020 in the Towns of Corinth and Hadley.
With his guilty pleas today in Saratoga County Court, Defendant Vella admitted that on April 7, 2020, he intentionally drove his vehicle into a group of three motorcycles (with one motorcycle having an operator and a passenger, for a total of 4 victims) in the Town of Corinth. The defendant struck all three motorcycles, killing Paul Hollenbeck of Corinth, causing serious physical injury to two other victims and caused physical injury to the fourth victim. Additionally, Vella also plead guilty today regarding an incident that preceded the motorcycle crash, and admitted that in the Town of Hadley, he sexually abused a woman in the picnic area of Stewart’s Pond.
District Attorney Heggen commended the numerous witnesses who came forward to law enforcement and assisted in the significant and complex investigation that resulted in a strong and compelling case against the defendant. Heggen said “Defendant Vella’s deliberate and intentional actions on April 7, 2020 in the Towns of Corinth and Hadley have forever impacted the lives of many in those communities and beyond. His guilty pleas today demonstrate his responsibility for his crimes and acknowledge the tragic loss of life, serious physical injuries, physical injuries and sexual assault he perpetrated that day.” Heggen also commended the dedicated work of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and Senior Assistant District Attorney Michele Schettino and Assistant District Attorney Shawn M. Lescault.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 7, 2021 when it is expected Vella will receive a sentence of 20 years to life in a state correctional facility, for the Murder in the Second Degree plea; 15 years determinate for each Assault in the First Degree pleas; 7 years determinate for the Assault in the Second Degree plea, and 7 years determinate for the Sexual Abuse in the First Degree plea. He also will be sentenced to a period of post-release supervision to be determined by the Judge for each of the determinate sentences, which can range from 3 to 10 years. He will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
