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Carlos Melendez, 29, was also sentenced by Orange County Court Judge Craig Stephen Brown to five years post-release supervision and one and one-third to four years for attempted to assault a second victim, the DA's office said.
At the trial, where Melendez was found guilty in January, prosecutors argued that on May 20, 2017, Melendez used a padlock and chain as a flail to strike two men in the head. One of the men suffered life-threatening serious physical injuries as a result of the assault and required hospitalization.
Police found the victim after receiving information about a man who appeared to be drunk, lying on the ground on Broadway. He was rushed to St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries.
Hours later, a witness to the beatings posted a video of the attack on Facebook and YouTube.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation of the case, and the arrest of Melendez.
“The community will be safer during the two decades this defendant is in prison,” said Hoovler. “This defendant’s conduct could easily have resulted in the loss of life and is deserving of a lengthy sentence of incarceration.”
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Kelly and Assistant District Attorney George del Fierro prosecuted the case.
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