Release of suspect charged in domestic violence case renews calls for review of bail reform

A disturbing domestic violence arrest and subsequent release in Orange County has led to renewed calls for a second look at bail reform.

News 12 Staff

Feb 18, 2021, 11:27 PM

Updated 1,254 days ago

Share:

A disturbing domestic violence arrest and subsequent release in Orange County has led to renewed calls for a second look at bail reform.
A Dutchess County mother says a two-hourlong domestic violence attack left her blind in her right eye.
"He had his arms and was right on top of me and looked right into my eyes and said this would be a perfect murder-suicide," she says.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office says 44-year-old John Pahucki, from Wawayanda, was charged with second-degree assault and harassment in the January attack.
Both felonies are eligible for bail, but prosecutors say Pahucki was released without it.
It's a frightening reality for the victim and Pahucki's ex-wife, Vanessa Petrossian, who says he has a history of domestic violence.
"How disturbed are you that he would be released without bail even though the offenses are bail eligible?," asks Petrossian. "To hear her recount the stories, it's torture. It wasn't just a slap in the face, it was hours of beatings that she and I both received."
Sen. Mike Martucci says this case and others like it are reason to repeal bail reform adding, "New York's dangerous bail elimination law continues to fuel a cycle of crime, and as evidenced here, has caused a disturbing rise in intimate partner violence. This failed catch-and-release policy is putting victims at immediate risk of more abuse. Sadly, there are countless cases just like this one."
In this case, both women have orders of protection in place, but Petrossian says the order of protection is just a piece of paper.
News 12 reached John Pahucki by phone and asked him about the allegations, but he declined to comment.


More from News 12
1:52
Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

1:58
Warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine in the Hudson Valley

Warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:49
New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

0:49
Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued