Mount Vernon Man Indicted on Attempted Murder Charges in Irvington Train Station Attack

Sidney Brown, 51, of Mount Vernon was arraigned Thursday on a seven-count indictment charging him with attempted murder and related crimes in connection with his alleged April attack on his ex-girlfriend.

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced the indictments, outlining the brutal attack on victim Deborah Henry, who is the mother of Brown’s children.

“This indictment outlines a frightening course of escalating violence by the defendant including constant harassment, intimidation and stalking,” said DiFiore in a statement. “Ultimately the defendant waited for the victim at a commuter train station and attacked her in full view of numerous witnesses, if it wasn’t for the intervention of several good Samaritans, the outcome would have been much worse.”

Related:

• Mount Vernon Man, 51, Charged in Irvington Train Station Assault
• VIDEO: Irvington Fire Chief Chris DePaoli Honored on State Senate Floor

Brown was charged with the following:

• one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• one count of Assault in the First Degree, a class ”B” Felony,
• one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class ”D” Felony,
• one count of Stalking in the First Degree a class ”D” Felony,
• two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, class “E” Felonies,
• one count of Endangering the welfare of a Child, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
• one count of Aggravated Harassment, a class “A” Misdemeanor,

The incident, which was witnessed by numerous bystanders, occurred on April 8 in the parking lot of the Irvington train station. Brown is accused of attacking Henry, stabbing her repeatedly in the neck, torso, back, and thigh.

Irvington Fire Chief Chris DePaoli, who was driving by with his daughters, saw the alleged attack, jumped out of his truck, grabbed a baseball bat and broke up the assault. Brown was arrested by police moments later.

DePaoli was honored at the state capitol by Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins for his efforts.

Brown and Henry had been domestic partners and have three children in common, according to DiFiore. Both were treated at local hospitals.

Two days after the attack, Brown was discharged from Westchester Medical Center and arraigned in Irvington Village Court.

He has a number of open arrest and bench warrants in Mount Vernon and Yonkers for domestic violence incidents involving both his current wife and Henry, DiFiore said. He remains remanded in jail.

Brown faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison, and his case was adjourned to August 13.

Assistant District Attorney Wendy Parra, Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Karen Herbert of the Domestic Violence Bureau are prosecuting the case.

Photo: Sidney Brown. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney’s office