POUGHKEEPSIE – Carlos Reyes Jr. was on trial for attempted murder, attempted assault, and criminal possession of a weapon in Poughkeepsie. In the early stages of the trial that began this week, Reyes entered a guilty plea to a weapons charge before Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin.
Reyes, 30, was arrested in May in the area of Boulevard Knolls after police stopped a motor vehicle stop. The occupants of the car, Reyes and 30-year-old Andre Irving were both arrested on felony weapons charges after the officers discovered a loaded Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle.
During the investigation, the police also learned that the Dutchess County Court had arrest warrants for Reyes on attempted murder, attempted assault, and criminal weapons possession charges, stemming from a previous incident in the city.
Just a few days into the trial, Assistant District Attorney Cindy Murphy offered a plea agreement to Reyes. Anthony Defazio, representing Reyes, told Mid-Hudson News the offer required Reyes to plead guilty to felony criminal possession of a weapon in exchange for the other charges to be dropped. As part of the agreement, the DA’s office will request a sentence of 3 1/2 -6 years in prison.
“The offer was made in the interest of justice,” said Murphy.
Defazio and his client were pleased with the offer and the chance to close the case. “He never meant to hurt anyone,” Defazio said referencing the attempted murder charge.
