GOSHEN, N.Y. — A murder trial in Orange County came to an abrupt and violent end last week after the defendant allegedly attacked and strangled his own attorney in the middle of a courtroom proceeding, resulting in a mistrial, officials confirmed.

Arthur Thomas, who is on trial for the 2020 stabbing death of 54-year-old Felix Alduen-Durand in the City of Newburgh, now faces additional legal scrutiny following the shocking courtroom outburst that unfolded in full view of jurors.

Juror Describes the Shocking Moment

In an exclusive interview with News 12, juror Ray Segalini recounted the moment Thomas allegedly lunged at his attorney, identified as Matthew Witherow, and dragged him to the ground by the throat.

“We were looking at the witness, and we heard a noise and look, and he’s got him going down to the floor,” Segalini said. “He grabbed him by the throat and just snapped.”

The attack reportedly occurred during the second day of testimony, just as the prosecution began presenting its witnesses. Court officers immediately rushed to intervene, physically restraining Thomas while shouting commands for him to stop resisting. The courtroom was quickly evacuated.

“We were just stunned. It was just out of the blue. It was crazy,” Segalini added.

Trial Ends in Mistrial

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office later confirmed the incident prompted the presiding judge to declare a mistrial.

The trial had been expected to last about two weeks. Segalini said that prior to the incident, the jury had only heard from one witness, whose account of the 2020 altercation appeared inconsistent.

“The witness didn’t seem credible. There were conflicting statements,” Segalini explained. “Witherow was doing a good job at that point, in my opinion — but it was still early.”

Background: The Murder Case

Arthur Thomas is accused of fatally stabbing Alduen-Durand near Broadway and Robinson Avenue in Newburgh in 2020. The defense had been arguing that Thomas acted in self-defense, and several City of Newburgh police officers had already testified about responding to the crime scene.

The case had already drawn local attention, but the courtroom violence has now thrust it further into the spotlight.

Attorney Witherow Recovering, Remains Silent

Despite the apparent violence of the attack, attorney Matthew Witherow, who also serves as a part-time judge in Port Jervis, declined medical attention and was reported to be physically unharmed.

News 12 reached out to Witherow for comment, but he has not responded. However, following an earlier interview regarding the incident, he stated:

“Notwithstanding what happened here, my commitment to my professional oath and my clients remains unwavering.”

As of Tuesday, it was unclear whether Witherow would remain as Thomas’ legal counsel going forward. During a court hearing that day, Joe Artrip was appointed as Thomas’ new attorney, signaling a possible change in legal strategy and representation.

New Charges and Court Date Pending

It remains unknown if additional charges will be filed against Thomas for the alleged courtroom attack. The New York State Unified Court System has not responded to requests for comment regarding any pending internal reviews or disciplinary procedures stemming from the incident.

Thomas is scheduled to return to court on June 10, when new proceedings, including the potential rescheduling of a trial and possible new charges, will be addressed.

Court officials may also consider enhanced security protocols for any future hearings involving the defendant.

Case Timeline:

• 2020: Felix Alduen-Durand is fatally stabbed in Newburgh.
• May 2024: Arthur Thomas goes to trial.
• May 2024: Trial halted after Thomas allegedly attacks his own lawyer.
• June 10, 2024: Thomas scheduled to appear in court again.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.