86-year-old gets maximum prison sentence for deadly stabbing at Port Jervis assisted living facility
James Annear appeared in Orange County Court in a wheelchair and using oxygen as Judge Craig Stephen Brown sentenced him for second-degree manslaughter.
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An 86-year-old man was sentenced Monday to the maximum 5 to 15 years in state prison for fatally stabbing a woman at a Port Jervis assisted living facility.
James Annear, who was 84 at the time of the killing, appeared in Orange County Court in a wheelchair as Judge Craig Stephen Brown sentenced him for second-degree manslaughter in the December 2025 death of 62-year-old Patricia Winters at The Sentinel of Port Jervis.
Annear previously pleaded guilty to the charge.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler described the case as “very, very unusual” and said Annear and Winters had been in a relationship for about three or four years.
Hoovler said the two argued after Annear accused Winters of taking his benefit card and $200. He said Winters denied it, grabbed a knife and threatened Annear. Annear then took the knife and stabbed her in the neck before the two fell into a corner.
Hoovler said Winters died from both her injuries and asphyxiation caused by the weight of Annear’s body on top of her. He said Annear, who has since lost about 60 pounds while incarcerated, weighed more than 200 pounds at the time.
Annear then attempted to kill himself, according to Hoovler, but suffered only superficial wounds.
The DA said the only witness was Annear’s roommate, who had significant hearing and vision impairments. Investigators instead relied heavily on forensic evidence, including DNA, as well as Annear’s own statements.
In court Monday, prosecutors said Winters “deserved better.” Brown said the circumstances of the crime called for the maximum sentence and imposed the 5-to-15-year term.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office tells News 12 that a review of its available electronic records found Annear is the oldest defendant in the county sentenced to state prison since at least 2003.
Hoovler characterized the killing as domestic-related and said the case shows domestic incidents can happen “regardless of what stage you are in life.”
“This one is different because of the age and the fact that it happened in an assisted living facility home and they were in a relationship,” Hoovler said. "I believe justice was served here and I think it’s the proper outcome to the case,” he added.
