TOWN OF PAWLING – One of the two men who had been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in an altercation, was arraigned on the upgraded charge of murder on Thursday night in Pawling. Nathaniel Vieira, 42, of Pawling was the victim of the March 2, 2024 assault at a home on South Quaker Hill Road. Vieira died of his injuries at a Connecticut hospital several days later.
On the night of the assault, Pawling resident Giuseppe Vassallo, 43, was arrested and charged with felony attempted murder, felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury with a weapon, and misdemeanor criminal possession of a weapon with intent to use. John Sorell, 27, also from Pawling, was arrested and charged with felony attempted murder and felony criminal possession of a weapon – a loaded firearm.
Both men were originally arraigned on those charges and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail where they have remained in custody. Following Vieira’s death, the attempted murder charge against Vassallo was upgraded to murder and he was arraigned on the new charge in Pawling Justice Court on Thursday, April 11. The charges against Sorell have not been upgraded.
Vassallo is listed as the owner of the home where the assault took place and where an alligator was rescued on the night of the attack on Vieira. The accused murder suspect is represented by Julia Cornachio and John Pappalardo. Cornachio is a prosecutor who has handled several homicide cases over the years. She is currently serving as a special prosecutor in the Orange County murder trial of Edward Holley, accused of bludgeoning Megan McDonald more than 20 years ago in the Town of Wallkill.
