Sosa
MIDDLETOWN – A homeless Middletown man is dead and a friend has
been charged with manslaughter. This is the second criminal death in the
City of Middletown in less than three weeks.
The latest victim, a 31-year-old man whose name police did not make public, was transported to Orange Regional Medical Center by a private vehicle on Sunday. He had sustained serious head injury and died as a result on Monday evening, city police said.
Investigators determined the assault took place on the railroad bed adjacent to Low Avenue and behind St. Joseph’s Cemetery in the early morning hours of September 3. Police said it is believed the victim and assailant knew one another. An altercation led to the assault in which the victim was repeatedly struck in the head with a baseball bat.
The investigation is continuing, but police arrested Primitivo Sosa, 27, with a last known address of 360 North Street in Middletown, and charged him with manslaughter.
No other suspects are being sought, city police said.
Meanwhile, Police are still trying to solve the August 17 shooting death of Coree White, Jr., 19, of Middletown. Chief John Ewanciw said despite following up more than 100 leads, detectives are facing one problem.
“One obstacle we continue to face is the non-cooperation of certain individuals,” the chief said. The chief urged anyone with information to come forward and if there is concern about anonymity, persons may submit tips on a confidential phone line – 845-346-3009 or on the city’s website.
Alderman Jerry Kleiner said those who may know something but do not step forward “lack morale courage.”
