A total of four people are now facing charges in the wake of a baseball-bat beating in Saugerties that was caught on video.
On August 30 at 5:11 p.m., Saugerties town police said officers responded to a 911 call at 20 Mayfield Estates for a report of a man being chased by men with baseball bats.
Upon arrival, police said officers located the victim, a 32-year-old male from Rhinebeck, who was found lying on the ground semi-conscious, bleeding from both his face and head. The alleged attackers had fled prior to police arrival. The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics from Diaz Ambulance and then airlifted by helicopter from the scene to the Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie where he went under further treatment for his injuries.
Saugerties detectives later obtained a video of the attack, which led to the arrests of Vincent Neglia, 31, of Route 32, Saugerties, Russel Neglia, 22, of Route 32, Saugerties and Travis Gonzalez, 22, of Victor’s Lane, Saugerties.
Russel Neglia and Travis Gonzalez were charged with the felonies of first-degree robbery, first-degree gang assault and first-degree assault, as well as the misdemeanor of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Vincent Neglia was charged the felonies of first-degree robbery, first-degree gang assault and first-degree assault.
All three defendants were arraigned in the Saugerties Town Court. Bail was set at $25,000 each. All three defendants posted bail at arraignment.
On Sept. 1, town police arrested Vincent F. Neglia Sr., 63, of Route 32, Saugerties. According to police, the beating took place “at the say so” of the older Neglia. He was charged with the felony of first-degree criminal liability for conduct of another/first-degree assault. Following arraignment, he was sent to Ulster County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.
Contacted Tuesday, September 5, town police chief Joe Sinagra said the motive behind the assault was the attackers’ belief the victim was going to tell police about members of the Neglia family allegedly selling drugs to the victim’s kids.
“These individuals are just thugs that went after someone else with baseball bats,” said Sinagra, adding that he had a bit of an issue with social media posts made in defense of the suspects.
“I find it humorous, some of the comments that are being posted talking about what upstanding people these are — upstanding people don’t go around beating each other up with baseball bats,” said Sinagra.
Wow, apparently you can beat the s**t out of someone with a bat in Saugerties (ON VIDEO) and skate on $25k bail. I think I’ll be avoiding Saugerties in general after seeing this. If I can take a beating like that on video and the perps will walk out the door (even though they are clearly guilty and EXTREMELY violent), something is broken in that town. (I live in the New Paltz area, FWIW – so I’m local.)
Disgusting.
Whatever the conflict with the victim, this vile behavior is not to be tolerated in our community.
Wow they only had $25,000 bail for almost beating a man to death with baseball bats?!? That is insane! I’ve seen people get higher bail amounts for much, much lesser crimes smh. The system is so flawed and screwed up, this is just another example.
Does anybody know which judge set the bail amount?
Did they seach their property for drugs? One of them was busted for drug sales some years ago. Lots of dangerous clowns like these in Saugerties. Always have been.
Everyone in this country is considered INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, in a court of law. That’s why we have a court system…
Yet another reason why I hate this town with blood boiling passion. This low bail seriously reeks of corruption. There are so many well off people in this town with questionable character that are respected by the local community due to the size of their wallet. The citizens of this community are not doing enough to collectively demand that the trash gets pushed out of this town.