KINGSTON – An Orange County man accused of striking a woman in the head with a dumbbell, choking her and hitting her multiple times during a domestic dispute was arrested Oct. 4 and released on his own recognizance, prompting Republican members of the Ulster County Legislature to call for changes to the state’s bail laws.
The suspect, Frederick Douglas Parks, of Maybrook, faces charges including second-degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Republican caucus.
The caucus is proposing a resolution urging the state Legislature and governor to give judges greater discretion in setting release conditions in qualifying domestic violence cases.
Minority Leader Kevin Roberts said the case highlights concerns raised by domestic violence victims who addressed the Legislature during public comment last month.
“The defendant is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence, but the victim’s safety matters too,” Deputy Minority Leader Craig Lopez said. “Our courts need the ability to take both seriously.”
Lopez said that he is unsure if Parks or the victim has a connection to Ulster County. He added that ” this is about bail reform and changes needed in Albany to protect victims from alleged abusers when they are released on their own recognizance after beating a woman with a barbell.”
The caucus said its proposal would not require automatic detention of people accused of domestic violence. Instead, it would allow judges to consider the charges, circumstances and potential risks when determining release conditions while preserving defendants’ constitutional rights.
“An arrest should not be where our concern for the victim ends,” Legislator Jason Kovacs said. “If the circumstances demonstrate a serious risk, judges should have reasonable options available to protect that victim.”
Roberts said the proposal seeks to balance victims’ safety with defendants’ due-process rights.
“This isn’t about taking away someone’s constitutional rights,” Roberts said. “It is about giving judges the ability to look at the circumstances in front of them and make decisions that recognize the very real danger a domestic violence victim may be facing.”
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