Accused Of Machete Attack On Girlfriend's Son: Rockland DA

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY -- A son who tried to protect his mother was hit with a machete and the man who did it faces felony charges, according to prosecutors in Rockland County.

Jeremy Barrett of 256 Westside Ave., Haverstraw has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with:

• One count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class “B” Violent Felony
• One count of Assault in the First Degree, a class “B” Violent Felony
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class "D" Felony
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class "A" Misdemeanor
• One count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, a class "A" Misdemeanor

“In a violent rage, the defendant unleashed a vicious attack on an innocent man looking to de-escalate an argument and protect his mother," District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe said Monday. "He now faces the possibility of prison for a very long time if convicted.”

At about 11:39 p.m. April 22, Barrett allegedly got into an argument with his girlfriend. According to the charges, the argument quickly turned physical. When the woman’s son attempted to intervene, the confrontation grew in intensity and moved outdoors.

During the course of the argument, Barrett walked to his car and retrieved a machete from the trunk. He
then allegedly threatened to kill the son before striking the young man in the head with the weapon.

According to the charges, the victim received a severe laceration to his head and began bleeding profusely.

Family members managed to pull the son back into the residence and lock the door. Barrett returned to his car and fled the scene. Barrett was located a short time later by Haverstraw police officers - in his car - on Lincoln Avenue in the Village of Haverstraw.

Officers said they recovered the machete used in the assault from the front-seat passenger floor of Barrett's car.

He was arrested without further incident.

The 42-year-old was arraigned in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and sent to the Rockland County Jail, prosecutors said.

Bail was set at $100,000 cash/bond pending future court appearances. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison on the top count of the indictment.

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