FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: DECEMBER 27, 2018
RE: PRESS RELEASE – WILLIAM M. KNOX APPEAL
On November 6, 2015 William M. Knox was convicted by an Ulster County jury of Criminal Contempt in the second degree. In appealing his conviction, the defendant argued that County Court’s ruling allowing the prosecution to introduce evidence of defendant’s prior violent, controlling, and abusive behavior against the victim was in error.
In rejecting defendant’s argument the Appellate Division ruled that County Court properly weighed the potential prejudicial effect of such evidence against its materiality and relevance to prove defendant’s motive, absence of mistake or accident and proof of the nature of defendant’s relationship with the victim.
On appeal defendant was represented by attorney Terrence M. Kelly of Albany, New York. The Ulster County District Attorney’s office was represented by Assistant District Attorney Paul Derohannesian.