Smithville man pleads guilty to manslaughter
NORWICH – The Smithville man accused of stabbing and killing his co-worker pleaded guilty to the class B felony of manslaughter in the first degree on Monday in Chenango County Court.
On March 30, 2014, 30-year-old Kyle V. Whitfield was arrested for murder in the second degree, a class A-1 felony.
Whitfield allegedly had a physical altercation with his Raymond Corporation co-worker, 33-year-old James G. Button of Greene, which started inside Whitfield's Smithville residence and ended outside the home.
It is alleged on March 3, 2014 at approximately 3:20 p.m., outside Whitfield's 132 Loomis Lane residence in Smithville, Whitfield stabbed Button four times with a folding knife causing his death.
According to authorities, Whitfield's girlfriend called 911 to complain Button was trespassing before the alleged stabbing took place. New York State Police troopers did not say what the complaint or the fight was about.
When NYSP arrived at the residence, Button was pronounced dead at the scene.
Whitfield was remanded without bail to the Chenango County Correctional Facility by the Town of Smithville Court. He was held without bail until a Chenango County Court bail hearing, where he was remanded back to jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bail or a $300,000 property bond.
Whitfield was indicted for manslaughter in the first degree, a class B felony, on March 20, 2014.
The charge was reduced due to intent. It was alleged Whitfield intended to cause Button physical injury by stabbing him, not intent to cause his death; but in stabbing him, Whitfield did allegedly cause Button's death.
Whitfield pleaded not guilty, was later released from jail and prepared to go to trial. He faced up to 25 years.
On Monday, March 9, Whitfield withdrew his not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to the class B felony of manslaughter in the first degree.
“The victim's family is here, and they are obviously very upset about Mr. Button's death,” said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride.
Button's family members cried as the indictment was read by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr., and one of the family members said “nothing would ever be good for her again,” when asked about what date for sentencing was “good for her” by Revoir and McBride.
McBride asked Whitfield a series of questions regarding the case, but he said he would save most of the details of the case for Whitfield’s sentencing.
Whitfield confirmed Button was looking for the mother of Whitfield's girlfriend when he came to the Loomis Lane residence on March 3, 2014.
He also confirmed an argument ensued between Button and himself that day, which later spilled outside the home.
“You knew that by stabbing him where you did, it would cause serious physical harm?” said McBride to Whitfield.
Whitfield said he did and also confirmed that Button died after he stabbed him.
Sentencing was adjourned to April 24 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
According to McBride, Button's family members will be speaking at the sentencing.
Whitfield was remanded to the county jail to await sentencing; he faces five years in prison and five years post release supervision.
One of Whitfield’s family members loudly said, “We love you, Kyle,” as he was being handcuffed and escorted out of the court room.
On March 30, 2014, 30-year-old Kyle V. Whitfield was arrested for murder in the second degree, a class A-1 felony.
Whitfield allegedly had a physical altercation with his Raymond Corporation co-worker, 33-year-old James G. Button of Greene, which started inside Whitfield's Smithville residence and ended outside the home.
It is alleged on March 3, 2014 at approximately 3:20 p.m., outside Whitfield's 132 Loomis Lane residence in Smithville, Whitfield stabbed Button four times with a folding knife causing his death.
According to authorities, Whitfield's girlfriend called 911 to complain Button was trespassing before the alleged stabbing took place. New York State Police troopers did not say what the complaint or the fight was about.
When NYSP arrived at the residence, Button was pronounced dead at the scene.
Whitfield was remanded without bail to the Chenango County Correctional Facility by the Town of Smithville Court. He was held without bail until a Chenango County Court bail hearing, where he was remanded back to jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bail or a $300,000 property bond.
Whitfield was indicted for manslaughter in the first degree, a class B felony, on March 20, 2014.
The charge was reduced due to intent. It was alleged Whitfield intended to cause Button physical injury by stabbing him, not intent to cause his death; but in stabbing him, Whitfield did allegedly cause Button's death.
Whitfield pleaded not guilty, was later released from jail and prepared to go to trial. He faced up to 25 years.
On Monday, March 9, Whitfield withdrew his not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to the class B felony of manslaughter in the first degree.
“The victim's family is here, and they are obviously very upset about Mr. Button's death,” said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride.
Button's family members cried as the indictment was read by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr., and one of the family members said “nothing would ever be good for her again,” when asked about what date for sentencing was “good for her” by Revoir and McBride.
McBride asked Whitfield a series of questions regarding the case, but he said he would save most of the details of the case for Whitfield’s sentencing.
Whitfield confirmed Button was looking for the mother of Whitfield's girlfriend when he came to the Loomis Lane residence on March 3, 2014.
He also confirmed an argument ensued between Button and himself that day, which later spilled outside the home.
“You knew that by stabbing him where you did, it would cause serious physical harm?” said McBride to Whitfield.
Whitfield said he did and also confirmed that Button died after he stabbed him.
Sentencing was adjourned to April 24 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
According to McBride, Button's family members will be speaking at the sentencing.
Whitfield was remanded to the county jail to await sentencing; he faces five years in prison and five years post release supervision.
One of Whitfield’s family members loudly said, “We love you, Kyle,” as he was being handcuffed and escorted out of the court room.
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