 |
Office of the District Attorney P. David Soares McKnight Pleads to Attempted Murder and Attempted Escape ALBANY , NY – District Attorney P. David Soares today announced the pleas of PETER MCKNIGHT, 45, of Colorado , to two counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Attempted Escape in the First Degree, in front of the Honorable Stephen Herrick. MCKNIGHT faces 30 years in prison at his sentencing on September 6, 2007 . On April 27, 2007 at about 1:37 a.m. on Deerfield Drive in the City of Cohoes , County of Albany , PETER MCKNIGHT, possessing a loaded weapon, broke into and entered the dwelling of his estranged wife by smashing out a sliding glass door. MCKNIGHT attempted to cause serious injury and death to two victims inside the home by shooting one victim in the arm and the other in the back and spine. After fleeing from the scene, MCKNIGHT lead police on a manhunt and was caught in Saratoga County on the evening of April 28, 2007 . On June 28, 2007 MCKNIGHT attempted to flee from the Albany County Jail by gaining access to the roof of the Correctional Facility but was immediately apprehended during the escape attempt. “PETER MCKNIGHT packed his tuxedo and flew from Colorado to Cohoes to carry out a violent act on people he once loved,” commented DA Soares. “He’ll spend the next 30 years having to ponder why, but the victims in this case will be spending probably the rest of their lives having to relive the horrific moments of April 27 th. It is my hope that this stiff sentence provides them a measure of relief.” Chief ADA Mark Harris, who had previously called MCKNIGHT one of the most dangerous individuals he had dealt with in his long career, handled the prosecution of this case. He stated “This man will not be a danger to anyone for a long time.” ###
For further information contact: Heather Streeter Orth
|
|
