POUGHKEEPSIE – A 52-year-old Pawling woman accused of attacking a group of senior citizens in January who officials said were exercising their First Amendment rights by protesting ICE agents, is due back in court for a hearing later this month.
Dutchess County Executive Assistant District Attorney Sinead McLoughlin told Mid-Hudson News the “matter is calendared for an appearance on August 26.”
McLoughlin said no date for trial has been scheduled at this time.
State Police arrested Annette Strehle in connection with the alleged January 10 attack at the intersection of Route 22 and Main Street in Pawling. She faces felony attempted assault and criminal mischief charges for allegedly punching one woman in the chest, pushing another to the ground, and throwing a third down while trying to take her cell phone. Strehle is also accused of crushing two women’s eyeglasses. All three alleged victims were over 65.
When arrested, Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi called the allegations “deeply troubling. Violence has no place in political discourse, and our democracy depends on the ability of individuals to express their views without fear of intimidation or physical harm. The allegations are particularly disturbing given that the victims in this case are senior citizens who were exercising that right. Our community must remain a place where people can express their views safely, and disagreements over political beliefs must never become an excuse for violence.”
Strehle has been released under the supervision of the Dutchess County Probation Department.
Comments