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.