Dinneny
GOSHEN – An Orange County grand jury has declined to file charges
against two Middletown police officers who shot a man to death on July
13 at 109 Overlook Drive in the city. Following a full investigation,
spearheaded by District Attorney David Hoovler, it was determined the
police officers’ actions were justified under state penal law.
The man, Richard Dinneny, was at his estranged girlfriend’s home
in violation of an order of protection.
He called 911 from inside the home and said he was upset, intoxicated
and armed with a gun. He said he wanted to die and would shoot any police
officers who came to the home.
Four Middletown officers went to the house, approached the front door
and confronted Dinneny who produced what appeared to be a black handgun
in his right hand. Despite repeated requests by officers to drop the weapon,
he refused to and raised it in the direction of the officers. Two fired
five shots, striking Dinneny three times. He died after being transported
to Orange Regional Medical Center in Wallkill.
It was later determined Dinneny’s weapon was a pellet gun.
