HV Man Accused Of Stabbing House Guest, Hiding Body In Planter

GOSHEN, NY — A Newburgh man was accused of stabbing a house guest and hiding his body in a planter. Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said Christopher Smith, 43, of the Town of Newburgh, was arraigned Monday on the following charges: second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence, felonies, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and making a punishable false written statement, misdemeanors.

Hoovler said that sometime between April 17 and April 21, Smith killed his houseguest with a knife at the apartment he rented in the Town of Newburgh.

The indictment also charges Smith with hiding the body of his victim by burying it in a planter at the residence and then making a false statement to the police who were investigating the man’s disappearance.

Smith’s bail was set at $500,000 bail or $1.5 million bond.

He remains at the Orange County Jail and will next appear in Orange County Court Nov. 15.

Hoovler said anyone who engages in violence must not be allowed to get away with it.

“My office will continue to make the prosecution of all violent crimes, particularly those involving the lose of life, our highest priority,” he said.

“No family should have to grieve for the loss of a loved one killed due to violence,” Hoovler said.

Photo caption: Christopher Smith. Photo credit: Orange County District Attorney's Office.