KINGSTON – Forty-two-year-old Robert Baan of Shawangunk avoided a trial on an assault charge by changing his plea to guilty, just moments before opening statements were to begin in Ulster County Court on March 11, 2024. Baan pled guilty to the violent felony charge of assault and admitted he assaulted his neighbor on March 14, 2023, outside of an apartment in Wallkill.
Baan admitted to assaulting his neighbor and intentionally inflicting serious physical injury by strangling him until he became unconscious. During the assault, the defendant punched the victim multiple times in the face and broke his jaw. This assault resulted from a dispute about their respective dogs.
“It is never okay to turn disputes between neighbors into acts of rage and criminal violence. Such rage and violence are not acceptable on the roads or in the neighborhood,” said District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji. “This office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of violent crimes, including bringing them to trial.”
The case was prosecuted by former Dutchess County, now Ulster County Assistant District Attorney Robert Knapp who serves as General Felonies Bureau Chief, and Assistant DA Sohil Sharedalal who also serves as the Animal Crimes Unit Chief.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2024.
