TWO ADMIT GUILT IN SUV TRAGEDY
THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF DUTCHESS COUNTY PRESS RELEASE
According to District Attorney Grady,
“Anthony Puccio, 18, from East Fishkill entered a plea of guilty before County Court Judge Edward M. McLoughlin on June 12th to Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony.”
“Paul Mauro, 16, from East Fishkill previously entered a plea of guilty on April 26th before County Court Judge Edward M. McLoughlin who was sitting as a Youth Part Judge in the Youth Part due to the defendant’s age being 16 at the time of the crime.”
“Both defendants admitted that they agreed to steal marijuana from the victim, 15-year-old Wilson Santiago, who they had told they wished to purchase marijuana from. As the transaction was taking place at the defendant’s vehicle, defendant Puccio grabbed the marijuana through an open window of the SUV and Puccio, who was driving, sped away. The victim was dragged away while holding on to the vehicle and fell from the vehicle after being punched by Mauro, causing the victim to fall from the vehicle. He died as a result of striking the pavement and fracturing his skull.”
Judge McLoughlin scheduled sentencing on both defendants for July 19th. My office will recommend a sentence of 4 to 12 years in prison for both defendants as a result of this senseless tragedy.
