Albany Man Pleads Guilty In Bus Stabbing On Thruway

GOSHEN, NY — The Albany man who was accused of stabbing someone on a commercial passenger bus had admitted his guilt.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said Maleek Phillips, 38, of Albany, pleaded guilty Jan. 3 to first-degree attempted assault.

Under the plea agreement, it is expected that he will be ordered to serve 10 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced Feb. 21.

As he admitted in court, Phillips was a passenger on the bus Aug. 26, traveling from Albany to New York City.

When the bus was going through the town of Newburgh on Interstate 87, he began threatening passengers.

After arguing with the victim of his crimes, Phillips pulled out a knife and cut the person’s neck and chest, causing a collapsed lung.

Phillips then fled the bus and cut his own throat before he was located nearby by the police. He ha the knife still in his hand.

Hoovler said that no one expects a peaceful bus trip to turn into a violent nightmare.

“Miraculously, the victim in this case survived the serious injuries caused by the defendant,” he said.

“However, violence like this will not be tolerated and my office will continue to dedicate all available resources to holding violent offenders accountable for their actions,” Hoovler said.

SEE ALSO: Arrest In Bus Assault On The New York State Thruway