Bench trial in case of Greene man charged with sex crimes adjourned
NORWICH – Two days into a bench trial in the case of a Greene man charged with sexual crimes, Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. adjourned proceedings until Sept. 16.
Matthew W. Bullock, 41, has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him; two counts of second degree criminal sexual act, a class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. Said charges allege that Bullock, in March of 2012, did engage in a criminal sexual act with a person under the age of 15.
Tuesday, the now 16-year-old alleged victim took the stand as a witness for the prosecution and testified under oath that while he, his siblings and mother were living with the defendant in Greene, the defendant engaged in various sexual acts with him. The boy’s mother took the stand as a witness for the prosecution letting the court know her son has been diagnosed with ADHD and a mild form of autism.
When the alleged victim spoke with New York State Police Investigator Wesley E. Mills III on Aug. 7, he stated the sexual acts took place in June or July, one month before his family moved from Bullock’s residence. Two days later, on Aug. 9, the alleged victim stated the incidents took place between March and the end of April of 2012.
The minor was questioned regarding the varying dates and said, “It was an honest mistake.”
The alleged victim also testified that he and Bullock would often spend time together, watching Star Trek, and on more than one occasion Bullock touched him in a sexual manner.
Bullock took the stand in his defense on Wednesday. When asked by his attorney, Scott J. Clippinger, if he had ever touched the boy, Bullock – under oath – responded, “No.”
The defendant stated that he and the alleged victim’s family lived in the residence together – owned by Bullock’s mother – and they would collectively eat dinner and spend time watching TV or DVDs. He stated on the record the only DVD player was in his own bedroom, and that, according to testimony, is where they would watch the programs – not only the alleged victim, but his mother, brother and sister as well.
“That was their hangout,” testified Bullock. He added that at night time his three dogs slept in his bed, and there were a couple of occasions where the alleged victim snuck downstairs to watch TV or play video games in the “kids game room,” but Bullock said he never touched the boy and never slept in bed with him.
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride asked the defendant, “Do you think it’s inappropriate for a teen male and an adult to share a bed?”
“Yes,” stated Bullock.
The boy’s sister testified as a witness for the prosecution and stated she observed her brother and the defendant in Bullock’s bed together one morning.
Bullock has held various jobs throughout his life, one of which included head bus driver at Chenango Valley Central Schools, where he worked with the alleged victim’s mother. The defendant was living with his girlfriend and her son at the time the alleged victim’s family moved in, and that family was to occupy the upstairs portion of the residence.
The alleged victim testified that one of the incidents took place in his own room, upstairs. The defendant, when he took the stand, testified he never went into the alleged victim’s bedroom and was only ever in his doorway to tell him goodnight – adding he said goodnight in the doorways of each of the children and their mother.
Another issue brought up during the trial was an incident that occurred on Aug. 3, 2013, an apparent physical altercation involving the alleged victim’s mother, the defendant’s mother, and several other individuals. The alleged victim’s family had moved out of the Greene residence and was told to have their belongings out prior to a certain date. According to the defendant’s mother, Sandra Bullock, she noticed a number of items belonging to the alleged victim’s family on her property which were subsequently moved to the curbside. When the alleged victim’s mother learned her property was outside, she came to the residence, and an altercation ensued. It was four days after this altercation the mother made the call to the NYS Police reporting the alleged sexual conduct between Bullock and her son.
One of the witnesses was not available Wednesday, therefore the bench trial was adjourned and will resume Monday, Sept. 16.
“This is a very serious matter,” said McBride, who added, based on the charges, Bullock is facing up to 14 years in state prison.
Matthew W. Bullock, 41, has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him; two counts of second degree criminal sexual act, a class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. Said charges allege that Bullock, in March of 2012, did engage in a criminal sexual act with a person under the age of 15.
Tuesday, the now 16-year-old alleged victim took the stand as a witness for the prosecution and testified under oath that while he, his siblings and mother were living with the defendant in Greene, the defendant engaged in various sexual acts with him. The boy’s mother took the stand as a witness for the prosecution letting the court know her son has been diagnosed with ADHD and a mild form of autism.
When the alleged victim spoke with New York State Police Investigator Wesley E. Mills III on Aug. 7, he stated the sexual acts took place in June or July, one month before his family moved from Bullock’s residence. Two days later, on Aug. 9, the alleged victim stated the incidents took place between March and the end of April of 2012.
The minor was questioned regarding the varying dates and said, “It was an honest mistake.”
The alleged victim also testified that he and Bullock would often spend time together, watching Star Trek, and on more than one occasion Bullock touched him in a sexual manner.
Bullock took the stand in his defense on Wednesday. When asked by his attorney, Scott J. Clippinger, if he had ever touched the boy, Bullock – under oath – responded, “No.”
The defendant stated that he and the alleged victim’s family lived in the residence together – owned by Bullock’s mother – and they would collectively eat dinner and spend time watching TV or DVDs. He stated on the record the only DVD player was in his own bedroom, and that, according to testimony, is where they would watch the programs – not only the alleged victim, but his mother, brother and sister as well.
“That was their hangout,” testified Bullock. He added that at night time his three dogs slept in his bed, and there were a couple of occasions where the alleged victim snuck downstairs to watch TV or play video games in the “kids game room,” but Bullock said he never touched the boy and never slept in bed with him.
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride asked the defendant, “Do you think it’s inappropriate for a teen male and an adult to share a bed?”
“Yes,” stated Bullock.
The boy’s sister testified as a witness for the prosecution and stated she observed her brother and the defendant in Bullock’s bed together one morning.
Bullock has held various jobs throughout his life, one of which included head bus driver at Chenango Valley Central Schools, where he worked with the alleged victim’s mother. The defendant was living with his girlfriend and her son at the time the alleged victim’s family moved in, and that family was to occupy the upstairs portion of the residence.
The alleged victim testified that one of the incidents took place in his own room, upstairs. The defendant, when he took the stand, testified he never went into the alleged victim’s bedroom and was only ever in his doorway to tell him goodnight – adding he said goodnight in the doorways of each of the children and their mother.
Another issue brought up during the trial was an incident that occurred on Aug. 3, 2013, an apparent physical altercation involving the alleged victim’s mother, the defendant’s mother, and several other individuals. The alleged victim’s family had moved out of the Greene residence and was told to have their belongings out prior to a certain date. According to the defendant’s mother, Sandra Bullock, she noticed a number of items belonging to the alleged victim’s family on her property which were subsequently moved to the curbside. When the alleged victim’s mother learned her property was outside, she came to the residence, and an altercation ensued. It was four days after this altercation the mother made the call to the NYS Police reporting the alleged sexual conduct between Bullock and her son.
One of the witnesses was not available Wednesday, therefore the bench trial was adjourned and will resume Monday, Sept. 16.
“This is a very serious matter,” said McBride, who added, based on the charges, Bullock is facing up to 14 years in state prison.
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