The Palmyra man accused of a violent, unprovoked stabbing on a Monroe County trail has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including attempted murder and hate crimes.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Derrick Van Epps was arraigned Monday after being indicted last week on charges of second-degree attempted murder and assault with a weapon with intent to cause injury, both classified as hate crimes.
Deputies say the June 23rd attack happened on the Indian Hill Park Trail in Perinton, where Van Epps allegedly approached the victim from behind and stabbed him several times with a hunting knife. Authorities say there was no prior interaction between the two men before the assault other than a brief, non-confrontational conversation about that day’s weather. The 30-year-old Van Epps was taken into custody shortly after the incident and remains held at the Monroe County Jail.
The victim was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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