NORWICH— Former Valley Ridge Center for Intensive Treatment Facility resident was arraigned for a violent crime and two others were arraigned for burglary on Dec. 5 in Chenango County Court by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr.
• Anthony J. Fish, 22, Norwich, was arraigned on the charges of assault in the second degree, a class D felony; and assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged, per the indictment, that on or about Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at the Valley Ridge Center for Intensive Treatment located on County Road 46, Fish did intentionally cause physical injury to a staff member at the treatment facility. Fish allegedly threw a dangerous instrument – a wooden table – at the victim, striking her in the head and causing her a concussion.
Fish pleaded not guilty on all counts.
First Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese said this is an “unusual case” and requested bail remain at $500 for Fish, who is currently being held in the Chenango County Correctional Facility.
John Cameron, Fish's public defender, said Fish received two conflicting psychiatric evaluations. The first psychiatric evaluation done by Chenango County Mental Health Services was “a very brief evaluation,” according to Cameron, and reported that Fish is mentally capable of understanding his court proceedings.
Cameron said the second psychiatric evaluation done by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), which was a “much longer report,” concluded Fish was incompetent and unable to participate in his defense.
“It's abundantly clear he has no idea what's going on, judge,” said Cameron, pointing to Fish. “He calls our office several times a day and asks the same questions over and over again, because he doesn't comprehend the answers.”
Cameron requested a third psychiatric evaluation, which is required by the statute when two initial psychiatric evaluations conflict. Ferrarese did not object to a third evaluation being done.
There was also discussion in court of Fish being transferred from the county jail and placed with the OPWDD, which will be decided at a later date.
Fish was remanded back to the county jail on a $500 cash bail and he is to undergo a third psychiatric evaluation. He is to appear in court at a later date.
• Michael A. Fletcher, 31, Bainbridge, was arraigned on the charge of burglary in the second degree, a class C felony.
It is alleged on or about Oct. 9 at 12:40 p.m. at 1 Lewis St. in the Village of Bainbridge, Fletcher – while acting in concert with another – did knowingly enter and remain unlawfully in a dwelling with intent to commit a crime. Fletcher allegedly intended to steal controlled substances from the victim's residence.
Fletcher pleaded not guilty.
Ferrarese said Fletcher is a predicate felon and requested his bail remain at $20,000 cash or a $40,000 bond. “He faces up to 15 years and five years post release supervision, judge,” added Ferrarese.
The First ADA also said Fletcher entered the victim's residence with his co-defendant when she was home and is “lucky no one was hurt.”
“Was there a drug issue? You said he tried to steal controlled substances,” said Revoir.
Ferrarese said he did not know whether there was a drug issue, but the intention of the alleged burglary was to steal controlled substances.
Revoir kept bail at $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond, but required Fletcher be monitored by the Drug Court Coordinator James Everard in the event of his release.
Fletcher is to appear in court at a later date.
• Timothy J. Mayes, 20, Bainbridge, was arraigned on the charges of burglary in the second degree, a class C felony; and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged, per the indictment, that on or about Oct. 9 at 12:40 p.m. at 1 Lewis St. in the Village of Bainbridge, Mayes – while acting in concert with another – did knowingly enter and remain unlawfully in a residence with intent to commit a crime.
It is also alleged Mayes – while acting in concert with another – did commit the crime of petit larceny by stealing the controlled substance clonazepam, a prescription medication, from the victim after entering her residence.
Mayes pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Cameron said Mayes had the opportunity to get drug addiction treatment at Conifer Park in Glenville for 28 to 36 days. Conifer Park needed Mayes to apply for Medicaid before picking him up from the county jail.
Mayes’ mother and an advocate were in court. The advocate said she would complete the Medicaid application with Mayes in court if the judge allowed, because she had not been able to access Mayes in jail.
Ferrarese and Cameron said Mayes has a drug problem, and they both think treatment would be beneficial to him.
Revoir said he would agree to Mayes receiving treatment at Conifer Park, but if he did not complete the program, he would remand Mayes back to the jail. If Mayes does complete treatment, Revoir said he is to live with his mother after treatment and be monitored by Everard.
Mayes was remanded back to the county jail on $10,000 cash or a $30,000 bond, which was to be lifted if Conifer Park accepts him. He was to be picked up from the jail by a representative of Conifer Park upon receiving Medicaid.