Newburgh Man Enters Plea In Fatal Stabbing

GOSHEN, NY — The Newburgh man who was accused of fatally stabbing someone staying at his home and then burying his body in a planter admitted his guilt in court. Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler said Monday Christopher Smith, 44, of the Town of Newburgh pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, a felony.

At the time of the plea, prosecutors said they would recommend Smith be sentenced to 20 years in state prison.

Smith admitted that, while he was in his Town of Newburgh home in April 2017, he stabbed the man in the neck with a knife, intending to cause serious injury to the man, who died of his wounds.

The man was identified as William K. McMahon, 50, the Daily Freeman said.

His family reported his disappearance June 30, 2017.

On Oct. 24, 2017, members of the state police found McMahon’s remains buried in a large planter outside of Smith’s residence.

“The unlawful taking of another human life is among the worst crimes that one can commit,” Hoovler said, “and the likelihood of killing increases dramatically when a person chooses to use a weapon. My office will seek lengthy prison sentences for those who resort to violence and weapons to settle disputes. I only hope that the recovery of the victim’s body and this guilty plea will bring some measure of closure the victim’s family.”

Smith was originally charged with 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.

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 13.

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