On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, Michael Finch, 39, formerly of Wyoming County and more recently of Parrish, Florida, pleaded guilty to 2 counts of attempted murder 1st, both class A-1 felonies, before the Hon. Michael M. Mohun.
The charges stem from a home invasion in the Town of Middlebury August 13, 2018 where the defendant attempted to cause the deaths of a 28 year old and a 13 year old male victim by repeatedly stabbing and cutting both individuals with a meat cleaver and a butcher’s knife that he had taken from the victim’s kitchen.
Provided photo 
Provided photo
The defendant entered the home randomly to find food and money. The defendant had decided “he wanted to stab everyone”. Leaving the victims cut and bloodied, the defendant fled the scene and disappeared into the nearby woods.
After members of the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office secured the scene and attended to the victims, a brief search ensued with the defendant exiting the woods, at which time he was placed into custody by Wyoming County Sheriff Greg Rudolph with the assistance of his deputies.
After being interviewed by two independent doctors, it was determined today in court that the defendant was competent to stand trial and was able to assist in his own defense. After he was found competent, the defendant agreed to a plea deal to the two highest counts in the 19 count indictment.
The court ordered a pre-sentence report which is to be filed by the probation department and sentencing is scheduled for February 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.
The case was handled by Norman Effman for the defendant and Gregory Kilburn for the People.
“Through the courageous actions of the victims and the quick response of the Sheriff’s Department on that tragic day in August we were able to bring a career violent criminal to justice. I am proud to announce today that this sentence should forever keep this monster from ever getting out of prison. Too many sentences before this case have allowed this violent individual to get out and terrorize our communities. I would hope that his violent past and these current admissions of trying to kill two young members of our community is enough for the parole board from ever letting him out. The victims in this case will be affected by this heinous act for the rest of their lives. We will continue to be there for them in any capacity we can and we hope that they can move forward with their lives as quickly as possible,” said Donald G. O’Geen, Wyoming County District Attorney.
The plea satisfies the remaining counts of the indictment.
The defendant will be sentenced to 20 years to life on each charge.