Pair Plead Guilty in Beating Death of 48-Year-Old Newburgh Man

Two men pleaded guilty in connection to a gruesome death of an innocent 48-year-old Newburgh man. The men killed the victim by beating and kicking him, leaving him brain dead.

Tuesday in Orange County Court, 28-year-old Richard Vallejo, of Newburgh plead guilty to 1st-degree manslaughter. Kelsin Rivera, 30, also from Newburgh plead guilty to 2nd-degree assault.

Both men attacked a 48-year-old victim on March 30, 2016 at on Lake Street in the City of Newburgh. Rivera admitted to striking the victim more than once with his hands, and Vallejo admitted to kicking the victim repeatedly in the head as the victim laid on the ground.

The victim was declared brain dead at St. Luke’s-Cornwall Hospital shortly after the attack, and never regained consciousness. He was eventually taken off life support and died on April 6.

“Senseless violence is a plague on our communities,” District Attorney David M Hoovler stated. “Whether it is committed by someone pointing a gun or a knife, or by someone perpetrating an assault as serious as the one in this case. Violence cannot be tolerated, and my office will seek appropriate sanctions against anyone who chooses to settle their disputes by committing acts of violence against other people.”

Both will be sentenced on September 9. Vallejo is expected to receive a 25-year prison sentence, Rivera a four-year prison term.