PRESS RELEASE
FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2018
The Appellate Division, Third Department has unanimously affirmed the resentence of Christopher Zaorski upon his conviction of the crimes of burglary in the first degree and assault in the second degree.
Defendant’s conviction stems from an incident which occurred very early on the morning of April 20, 2008 in Pine Bush. At that time, the victim, out walking his dog, observed suspicious activity outside his neighbor’s home and confronted the defendant, whom he observed prowling around. During the physical confrontation which ensued, the victim was seriously injured, later requiring 13 staples and eight stitches to close cuts to his head and scalp. During the subsequent investigation, police discovered that jewelry and other items had been taken by defendant from the neighbor’s residence.
The defendant was initially sentenced by Ulster County Court Judge Donald A. Williams to concurrent determinate terms of 15 years for the burglary and seven years on the assault followed by five years of postrelease supervision. He was, however, resentenced in 2015 to the same term of imprisonment as County Court failed to assign him new counsel in connection with a previous motion to withdraw his plea.
On appeal, defendant challenged the resentence on the ground it was harsh and excessive. This claim, however, was rejected by the Appellate Division, Third Department.
On appeal, defendant is represented by David E. Woodin, Esq. of Catskill, New York. Assistant District Attorney Joan Gudesblatt Lamb, Esq. handled the appeal for the District Attorney’s Office.