KINGSTON – A 31-year-old Woodstock man has been sentenced in Ulster County Court to two to four years in state prison for the felony convictions of menacing and assault, both as hate crimes for attacking a gay man in Woodstock.
While at a bar in April 2023, Shayne Wilber hurled homophobic slurs at the victim and threw an object at his face causing injury to the man’s lip.
Wilber then jumped over the bar area and attacked the victim, pulling out a box cutter in the process.
In pleading guilty. Wilber admitted the acts were intentional because of the victim’s sexual orientation.
Wilber had been under the supervision of the Ulster County Probation Department at the time of the incident.
“Ulster County is enriched by its diversity, in its people and ideas, religious, social and political orientations and ideologies. It is the inalienable right of everyone to be safe in their person and property, and to expect that anywhere in this county, including the streets and sidewalks, bars, churches, and schools,” said District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji.
Wilber was sentenced by County Court Judge Bryan Rounds on Friday, March 1.
