Man attacks accused killer in court

TOWN OF ROCHESTER – Ulster County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 27-year-old Accord man after he assaulted an inmate and disrupted a court proceeding in Town of Rochester Justice Court.

Following the arrest of Alexander Barsky for the 1996 murder of Joseph Martin of Kerhonkson, Christopher Ronda of Accord became emotionally upset. He was a close friend of Martin’s.

When Sheriff’s Office corrections officered arrived at court with Barsky at 5:46 p.m. on Tuesday, Ronda pushed passed one officer and assaulted Barsky.

Neither officer was injured, but Barsky suffered contusions during the assault.
Court had to be locked down until Ronda was controlled.

Deputies arrived to assist in the arrest of Ronda on misdemeanor charges of assault in the third degree, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree and criminal contempt in the second degree.

He was arraigned and remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bail.