KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)– On September 29, a Kingston man admitted to assaulting a woman on Broadway in Kingston. According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, William Knox, Jr., 55, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, just before his trial was expected to begin.
Knox was accused of stalking and assaulting a female victim around 2 a.m. in June 2024. According to investigators, he knocked the victim down and repeatedly hit her in the head with a hammer after she rejected him earlier in the night.
The DA’s office said Knox saw the victim while he was riding his bike, followed her both on the bike and on foot and as she attempted to cross Broadway to avoid him, he reportedly pulled a hammer from his waistband and hit the victim until she fell to the ground. Investigators said he then returned to his bike and threw the hammer down a storm drain.
He was later arrested by state police on Pine Street and the victim was transported to the hospital for treatment. A grand jury indicted Knox on attempted murder and assault charges a month later.
“The courage and prompt cooperation of the victim, and the instant collaboration of our local law enforcement agencies, brought immediate aid for the victim and neutralized Knox, eliminating any prospect of him moving on to another target that night,” DA Emmanuel Nneji said. “This type of engagement and cooperation is a huge factor in keeping us safe from violent crimes.”
According to the DA’s office, Knox is expected to be sentenced on December 19 as a persistent violent felony offender. He is expected to receive a sentence of 12 years to life in state prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cindy Murphy. Knox is being represented by attorney Stephen Barry.
