POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Nineteen-year-old Glendale Wright, who pleaded guilty to a 2023 Main Street block party shooting that injured four people, received a stiffer prison sentence after getting involved in a violent altercation while awaiting sentencing in jail.
Initial Charges and Plea Deal
Wright had originally faced a raft of serious charges including four counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault, felony conspiracy related to the shooting, and separate charges in an unrelated drug case. The incident, which involved Wright opening fire at a crowded block party, left multiple victims seriously injured, one of whom was struck in the head and chest.
In May, Wright reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. He admitted guilt to one count of attempted murder in the shooting case and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the drug-related case. In exchange, all other charges were to be folded into the sentencing for the two primary charges.
Jail Assault Before Sentencing
However, while being held at the Dutchess County Jail awaiting his July 11 sentencing, Wright was charged with misdemeanor assault for beating another inmate. The incident prompted Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin to revisit the terms of the original plea agreement.
Wright later pleaded guilty to the jail assault and waived his right to procedural hearings. As a result, the court imposed a revised sentence:
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25 years in prison for attempted murder
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Five years (to run concurrently) for the weapons charge
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One year (also concurrent) for the jailhouse assault
Additionally, Wright will be subject to at least five years of post-release supervision.
Victim’s Family Speaks Out
Before receiving his sentence, Wright listened as the mother of one of the shooting victims addressed the court. Accompanied by her husband, she described how her son survived the shooting but has endured a long road of recovery filled with surgeries and hospital visits.
“He survived, and for that we are grateful,” she said, “but our world has been filled with pain, medical treatments, and uncertainty.” Her son had been shot in both the head and chest by rounds fired from Wright’s .45 caliber handgun.
Judge Rebukes Wright’s Remorse
Wright offered an apology, stating he was “aware of the pain” he caused. But Judge McLoughlin was unconvinced. “You have no idea how much pain you have caused,” the judge told him sharply.
Addressing the victim’s family, Judge McLoughlin acknowledged their suffering and expressed frustration over the limitations of sentencing laws. “This is essentially a murder sentence, but it is not enough,” he said. Turning to Wright, he added, “This is a long sentence for a very young man—but you ruined a lot of lives, and you ruined yours too.”
With the sentencing now complete, Wright will begin serving his 25-year prison term, closing a chapter on one of Poughkeepsie’s most violent recent crimes—but leaving lasting trauma for the victims and their families.
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