Grand Jury Indicts Armonk Man For Attempted Murder Of Police Sergeant

ARMONK, NY — A grand jury has handed down an indictment in connection with a violent incident in a Westchester home that ended when an officer shot a wanted man police were attempting to take into custody.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced on Tuesday that an Armonk man was indicted for the attempted murder of a North Castle police sergeant in May.

"We are seeking to hold this defendant accountable for his alleged attempt to kill a police sergeant who was simply trying to do his job," Rocah said. "We are grateful that the officer was not seriously injured or killed during this unprovoked attack."

38-year-old Joseph Spennato was arraigned on Tuesdsay in New York State Supreme in Westchester County on an indictment by a Westchester County Grand Jury for felony attempted aggravated murder and felony attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer and misdemeanor fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Spennato remains remanded to the Westchester County Jail, with his next court date on August 6.

SEE ALSO:

• Armonk 38-Year-Old Charged With Attempted Murder Of Police Officer
• Police Shoot Man At Armonk Home After He Attacks Cop With Knife: NCPD

On May 20, around 12:30 p.m., two North Castle police officers responded to a 911 emergency call on Hallock Place in Armonk for a 78-year-old woman who needed medical care. Once on the scene, officers became aware that Spennato, who had two outstanding bench warrants in North Castle Town Court, was also in the home.

When officers tried to arrest Spennato, however, he used a knife attempting to stab Sgt. William McClure multiple times in the back, striking the sergeant’s ballistic vest, before Police Officer Chris Costa used his duty pistol to fire two shots, striking Spennato twice, according to the officers. The incident was captured on police-worn body cameras.

Spennato and both officers were taken to area hospitals for treatment and evaluation. The officers were uninjured.

Spennato was arrested in the hospital on May 28.