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State of New York v. John Hughes
Date: 02-22-2026
Case Number: IND-72224-24/001
Judge: William T. Little
Court: Supreme Court, Albany County, New York
Plaintiff's Attorney: Albany County, New York, District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney: Paul Robert Edwards
Description:
Albany, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
John Hughes, age 44, attacked a random person on the street with a nail-spiked wooden board.
On Sept. 20, 2024, Hughes was at the intersection of Grand Street and Madison Avenue just before 9 p.m. when he pulled a wooden board from a dumpster and began swinging it at a 32-year-old pedestrian, striking him in the ribs and then the head and sending him to the hospital with a gash that required four staples.
The prosecution team of Assistant District Attorney Katherine Miller, of the Vehicular Crimes Unit, and ADA Joseph Brucato, Bureau Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, called on six witnesses, including the victim and Albany Police officers, and showed the jury video surveillance footage that captured the incident unfold.
Hughes took the stand and said he believed the victim was working for the police. He said he demanded the victim leave the neighborhood before he began swinging. Defense attorney Paul Edwards tried to make a case that the defendant only intended for the victim to leave and didn’t intend to cause injury.
John Hughes, age 44, attacked a random person on the street with a nail-spiked wooden board.
On Sept. 20, 2024, Hughes was at the intersection of Grand Street and Madison Avenue just before 9 p.m. when he pulled a wooden board from a dumpster and began swinging it at a 32-year-old pedestrian, striking him in the ribs and then the head and sending him to the hospital with a gash that required four staples.
The prosecution team of Assistant District Attorney Katherine Miller, of the Vehicular Crimes Unit, and ADA Joseph Brucato, Bureau Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, called on six witnesses, including the victim and Albany Police officers, and showed the jury video surveillance footage that captured the incident unfold.
Hughes took the stand and said he believed the victim was working for the police. He said he demanded the victim leave the neighborhood before he began swinging. Defense attorney Paul Edwards tried to make a case that the defendant only intended for the victim to leave and didn’t intend to cause injury.
Outcome:
The jury deliberated for 17 minutes before returning the verdict.
Hughes could face up to seven years in state prison.
Hughes could face up to seven years in state prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of New York v. John Hughes?
The outcome was: The jury deliberated for 17 minutes before returning the verdict. Hughes could face up to seven years in state prison.
Which court heard State of New York v. John Hughes?
This case was heard in Supreme Court, Albany County, New York, NY. The presiding judge was William T. Little.
Who were the attorneys in State of New York v. John Hughes?
Plaintiff's attorney: Albany County, New York, District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Paul Robert Edwards.
When was State of New York v. John Hughes decided?
This case was decided on February 22, 2026.