Cousins Accused of Bar-Brawl Stabbing: Rockland DA

SPRING VALLEY, NY — Two cousins from Spring Valley are accused of trying to kill someone during a Haverstraw bar brawl in January. Both were charged Tuesday with assault and attempted murder and one was hit with an additional attempted assault charge.

Daniel Salto, 21, and John Salto, 23, were arraigned on indictments charging them 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

John Salto was additionally charged with one count of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, a class "E" Felony.

“According to the charges, the defendants attacked the victim with deadly force during a confrontation, leaving the victim with life-threatening wounds," Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe said in the announcement. "This was not a case of self-defense. The charges involve a violent assault with a dangerous weapon and will be vigorously prosecuted.”

According to the charges, Daniel and John Salto were at the Mi Tierra bar at 5 Broadway in the Village of Haverstraw Jan. 22, when an argument erupted. The confrontation turned physical when the parties walked out onto Broadway at about 2:20 a.m. During the altercation, a witness allegedly observed the Saltos stab the victim with a knife several times before attempting to run away.

Daniel Salto was apprehended by police outside the bar. According to the charges, he admitted to
possessing the knife and using it to stab the victim.

John Salto was arrested several days later.

The victim suffered 12 stab wounds and required surgery at Westchester Medical Center.

The stabbing incident was captured on surveillance video, Zugibe said, alleging the video shows the cousins using deadly physical force even though the victim did not pose a significant threat of death or serious physical injury.

Daniel and John Salto, who both live at One Singer Ave., were arraigned Tuesday.

Daniel Salto was held on $100,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 21, 2018. John Salto was held on $ 25,000 bail. Next court appearnce is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2018. Both face up to 25 years in state prison, if convicted, the DA said.