Defendant in Norwich stabbing held on $100k bail
NORWICH – The person authorities say is responsible for stabbing a pedestrian during an attempted mugging in downtown Norwich was arraigned in court Thursday.
Appearing in City of Norwich Court with a public defender, 41-year-old Gregory Frank Huzinec Jr. pleaded not guilty to first degree attempted robbery and first degree assault, both felonies, and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.
District Attorney Michael Ferrarese confirmed Huzinec was a convicted felon who was released on parole about 12 months ago. He said Huzinec has a prior conviction that involved pleading guilty to committing an attempted robbery in Norwich in 2016.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher A. Curley said Huzinec's actions were, “the most violent and appalling.”
“The victim was in an alley minding his own business,” said Curley in court, adding, “He attacked the victim for a handful of cash.”
Norwich Detective Sergeant Reuben Roach said Huzinec stabbed the victim several times during the attempted robbery, which took place at about 5:25 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, less than a block away from the police department.
“A struggle ensued and the victim did sustain several stab wounds to the neck and chest,” said Roach. “Norwich Police officers were on the scene within minutes of the 911 call.”
Since Huzinec is on state parole, the DA said he would likely be held in jail pending an outcome in the case. Prosecutors requested $100,000 cash bail during Thursday's appearance, saying they had strong evidence against him.
Curley said prosecutors have video camera recordings, including some audio, as evidence. He said investigators recovered the knife used in the attack. He also noted the defendant's violent criminal history and that the victim was making a recovery from his critical injuries and could be a witness.
Chenango County Public Defender Zachary T. Wentworth represented Huzinec at the arraignment and asked for lenient bail so his client could continue working as a self-employed stonemason. He also said a special defense attorney may be assigned in the case due to a possible conflict at the PD's office with another case.
City Judge Michael J. Genute set bail at $100,000.
Huzinec could return to Norwich City Court for a felony hearing in the next few days and additional charges handed down by a grand jury could be included over the next month.
Huzinec was charged in a similar local case in 2016.
According to investigators at the time, on July 7, 2016, Huzinec, armed with a gun, burglarized an apartment on Lackawanna Avenue in the City of Norwich. Prosectors claimed he pistol whipped the home's occupant and then hogtied the victim with duct tape before fleeing the scene with stolen property, including $60, a cell phone and a medical benefit card.
By Jan. of 2017, Huzinec had accepted a plea deal in the case and pleaded guilty to first degree attempted robbery. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with two and a half years post-release supervision.
Police said Huzinec had prior convictions in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland.
Appearing in City of Norwich Court with a public defender, 41-year-old Gregory Frank Huzinec Jr. pleaded not guilty to first degree attempted robbery and first degree assault, both felonies, and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.
District Attorney Michael Ferrarese confirmed Huzinec was a convicted felon who was released on parole about 12 months ago. He said Huzinec has a prior conviction that involved pleading guilty to committing an attempted robbery in Norwich in 2016.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher A. Curley said Huzinec's actions were, “the most violent and appalling.”
“The victim was in an alley minding his own business,” said Curley in court, adding, “He attacked the victim for a handful of cash.”
Norwich Detective Sergeant Reuben Roach said Huzinec stabbed the victim several times during the attempted robbery, which took place at about 5:25 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, less than a block away from the police department.
“A struggle ensued and the victim did sustain several stab wounds to the neck and chest,” said Roach. “Norwich Police officers were on the scene within minutes of the 911 call.”
Since Huzinec is on state parole, the DA said he would likely be held in jail pending an outcome in the case. Prosecutors requested $100,000 cash bail during Thursday's appearance, saying they had strong evidence against him.
Curley said prosecutors have video camera recordings, including some audio, as evidence. He said investigators recovered the knife used in the attack. He also noted the defendant's violent criminal history and that the victim was making a recovery from his critical injuries and could be a witness.
Chenango County Public Defender Zachary T. Wentworth represented Huzinec at the arraignment and asked for lenient bail so his client could continue working as a self-employed stonemason. He also said a special defense attorney may be assigned in the case due to a possible conflict at the PD's office with another case.
City Judge Michael J. Genute set bail at $100,000.
Huzinec could return to Norwich City Court for a felony hearing in the next few days and additional charges handed down by a grand jury could be included over the next month.
Huzinec was charged in a similar local case in 2016.
According to investigators at the time, on July 7, 2016, Huzinec, armed with a gun, burglarized an apartment on Lackawanna Avenue in the City of Norwich. Prosectors claimed he pistol whipped the home's occupant and then hogtied the victim with duct tape before fleeing the scene with stolen property, including $60, a cell phone and a medical benefit card.
By Jan. of 2017, Huzinec had accepted a plea deal in the case and pleaded guilty to first degree attempted robbery. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with two and a half years post-release supervision.
Police said Huzinec had prior convictions in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland.
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