Josiah Takes the Rap

Josiah Williams, age 17, residing at 6 Barclay Road, New Windsor, was sentenced today, July 1, 2014, before Rockland County Court Judge William K. Nelson to a state prison term of 3 ½ to 10 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the first degree, as a juvenile offender below the age of 16 years when the crime was committed, the maximum term permitted.

District Attorney, Thomas P. Zugibe stated the defended confessed that on or about June 9, 2013 at approximately 8:20 p.m., he became involved in an altercation between members of his family and third parties in Hillcrest, Rockland County. The victim Ricarrdo Barrett stepped into the conflict and was attacked by Williams, who fatally stabbed him in the heart.

He pled pled guilty to one count of first degree manslaughter on April 11 after being arrested on August 26. He was initially charged with murder, but the District Attorney’s office dropped the charges down to manslaughter.