Monday was another big day for a small courthouse when Christopher Howson’s attempted murder charge was upgraded officially to murder.
During another quick and quiet visit to Sleepy Hollow Village Court, Howson, alongside his current Legal Aid Society attorney, received the charge of murder in the second degree along with the original additional charge of first degree strangulation.
This follows the death on Wednesday of his alleged victim, his wife Theresa Gorski. She spent four days on life support after suffering strangulation at the couple's home on 127 New Broadway on Saturday, Jan. 5.
The justice presiding also issued Howson temporary orders of protection against Gorski's mother and sister.
Howson was temporarily held in Sleepy Hollow police department’s holding cell and brought in handcuffs into court by village police, but then it was back in the county police car to the Westchester County Jail. He is being held without bail pending the next court date here on January 28, when he will have a new attorney.
Lucian Chalfen, communications director for the District Attorney's office says Howson won't be entering a plea until he enters the county court system. "Local court is the intake point," Chalfen said.
First degree murder charges in New York apply to cases where "especially cruel or painful means" are used to hurt the victim prior to death, according to NY Penal Code. Sentencing can go up to a maximum of life in prison.
Second degree murder charge involves the "intent to cause the death of another person" that results in the death of this person. If convicted Howson could face up to 25 years in prison.
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