The man accused of brutally assaulting an on-duty Schenectady police officer was back in court Monday morning. Geoff Redick has more.
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — With his accused assailant behind bars, the Schenectady police officer who was seriously injured in a fight with the suspect is now resting at home.
Schenectady police confirmed that Patrolman Mark Weekes was released from Ellis Hospital late Monday morning — the same day that suspect James Hilton, 32, appeared in Schenectady City Court. Hilton plead not guilty to a felony charge of assault on a police officer and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
According to police, Weekes encountered Hilton brandishing a traffic cone early Saturday near the intersection of Broadway and State Street in Schenectady. Police said Hilton ignored Weekes' orders to put down the traffic cone, and when Weekes attempted an arrest, officials said Hilton grabbed the patrolman and body-slammed him. Hilton is accused of punching Weekes in the head until he passed out.
Weekes was eventually diagnosed with a skull fracture and swelling on the head.
According to MMA trainer on Ron McEvilly, Hilton is an amateur mixed martial artist and former U.S. marine, known to suffer from PTSD. McEvilly said Monday that the sport does not condone using its techniques for such violent means.
Hilton is due in court again Tuesday at 9 a.m., as he attempts to secure private representation. As a felony defendant, Hilton's case will automatically be transferred to Schenectady County Court. He remains in jail without bail.
Reporter Katie Eastman contributed to this report.