A Manhattan judge blasted Newburgh as “the most pathetic place in the state of New York,” touching off a war of words with the Orange County city’s mayor.
US District Court Judge Colleen McMahon made the comments while sentencing Bloods member Taylor Fields for a 2009 slaying.
Fields’ defense had claimed he came of age in an impoverished Newburgh neighborhood and was raised by a crack-addicted mom.
“You know, everybody knows how I feel about this, that there is one industry in Newburgh: It is selling drugs,” McMahon said in the April 15 sentencing, according to court transcripts obtained by News 12 Hudson Valley.
“There is one law in Newburgh. It is the law of the street. Newburgh is the most pathetic place in the state of New York.”
The remarkably harsh words stunned Mayor Judy Kennedy.
“We have so many great things going on in this city,” she said. “So to try to bring such a negative view to a city where almost 30,000 people live is an unfair statement.”
She invited McMahon on a personal tour of Newburgh. The judge declined.