FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: DECEMBER 17, 2018
RE: PRESS RELEASE – PEOPLE V. SETH LYONS
On December 17, 2018, Seth Lyons was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison on his conviction to Murder in the second degree.
Lyons was charged by Indictment with Murder in the Second Degree for beating Anthony Garro, Jr., to death. Garro was found deceased under the Elmendorf St. Bridge during the early morning hours of November 29th, 2017. An intensive investigation by members of the City of Kingston Police Department and the New York State Police led to Lyons, who was located in the City of Kingston that same morning. Lyons was subsequently arrested and charged with Murder in the Second Degree.
At trial, the defense argued that Lyons was experiencing an Extreme Emotional Disturbance at the time of the murder resulting from a combination of mental illness, chronic drug abuse and sleep deprivation, thereby committing the lesser crime of Manslaughter in the First Degree.
However, the prosecution countered by offering evidence that the defendant had an acute recollection of the murder demonstrating an awareness of his actions that belied the defense of Extreme Emotional Disturbance.
During today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Williams heard from family members of Anthony Garro Jr. Addressing the court were the victim’s parents, Anthony and Marianne Garro, his Aunt, Rebecca Garro, his sister, Dawn Garro, and his long-time partner, Laurie Difalco. All who spoke recounted stories of Anthony’s childhood and his kind and generous spirit. They each described Anthony Garro, Jr. as a beloved man who will always be remembered as someone who put others before himself and who will be greatly missed.
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Williams cited the brutality of the murder, as well as Lyons’ complete lack of remorse for why the maximum was the appropriate sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Kavanagh and Senior Assistant District Attorney Lisa Bondarenka. The defendant was represented by Bryan Rounds, Kingston, New York.