Probation For 1-Punch Killer

PEARL RIVER, NY — Douglas Guido, 22, of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, received a sentence of probation for the punch that killed his best friend Richard Hess in June 2018. The two had been drinking heavily in Pearl River.

Hess's family objected to the plea deal and the sentence, The Journal News reported. But Rockland Executive Assistant District Attorney Stephen Moore said that under New York's 'one punch homicide' law they could only prosecute for misdemeanor assault.

Orangetown Justice Patrick Loftus had postponed sentencing at the Hess family's request. He said after watching the video he concluded Hess initiated the pushing and shoving, according to TJN.

Read the entire article on lohud.com.

Guido was initially charged with second-degree assault, a felony, by Orangetown police who responded at 3:13 a.m. June 23, 2018 to a report of an unconscious man in front of 33 W. Central Ave. in Pearl River.

Hess was taken to Nyack Hospital and transferred to Westchester Medical Center, where he died days later.