District Attorney Hoovler Announces 30 Year Sentence in Port Jervis Attempted Murder Case

Port Jervis Man Convicted of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, Shawn Beach, age 43, of Port Jervis, was sentenced by the Honorable Craig Stephen Brown in the Orange County Court to an aggregate term of thirty (30) years in prison to be followed by five (5) years of post-release supervision.  Beach was convicted in August of two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree after a jury trial.  Beach had a prior violent felony conviction from 2003.

As alleged at trial, on December 11, 2022 Beach swung a hammer in the direction of a woman in a residence in the City of Port Jervis.  The woman’s eighteen (18) year old son, upon hearing his mother scream, rushed downstairs to her aid.  Beach then turned to the man and struck him in the head with the hammer, fracturing his skull.  The man was treated at Westchester Medical Center for life-threatening injuries but survived.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of Beach.

“This violent recidivist was appropriately punished for his horrific actions,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Domestic violence has life-changing consequences and the victims in this case are to be praised for their bravery in coming forward.  I also commend the dedication of the police and prosecutors whose hard work resulted in the conviction.  My Office will continue to support victims of domestic violence by aggressively prosecuting those responsible for these crimes.  I urge all victims of domestic violence to seek out the support available to them by contacting law enforcement, my Office or organizations such as Fearless! Hudson Valley who are there to assist.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney Richard Moran and Assistant District Attorney Bryan Conway who prosecuted the case.

This criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.