Prison Term Imposed For Poughkeepsie Stabbing Death Of Father Of Two

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A local man was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in state prison for fatally stabbing William Gearhart, a 50-year-old father of two.

Dutchess County Court Judge Jessica Segal imposed the sentence on Shrone Wright, 52, also known as “On Sight,” of Poughkeepsie.

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After Wright serves his prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for another five years.

In March, a jury convicted Wright of first-degree manslaughter.

The victim was killed on the evening of November 6, 2024, in the area of Pershing Avenue in Poughkeepsie, officials said.

Wright stabbed the victim once in the upper torso during an altercation, according to prosecutors.

Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “William Gearhart lost his life as the result of a senseless and needless act of violence in a City of Poughkeepsie park.”

“The jury carefully weighed the evidence and held the defendant accountable for that fatal act,” Parisi added. “While nothing can restore Mr. Gearhart to his family, this conviction and sentence should send a strong message that violence of this kind will be met with accountability in Dutchess County.”

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