Today, June 17, 2020, Lynn Michael Hall appeared in Wyoming County Court before the Hon. Michael M. Mohun with his defense attorney James Napier, along with District Attorney Donald G. O’Geen.
During the court appearance Hall pleaded guilty to attempted murder 2nd, a class B violent felony, with an agreed upon sentence range of 20 to 25 years in prison followed by post-release supervision of 2 1/2 to 5 years.
At sentencing, Judge Mohun will determine the final number of years within each of those ranges. The defendant waived his right to appeal and agreed to pay restitution.
Sentencing is set for September 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Hall is currently being held at the Niagara County Jail without bail.
Prior to June 2019, two psychiatrists declared that Hall was not fit to stand trial. In June of 2019, the defendant after being committed for a few months, was declared by the treating physicians and approved by the court fit to stand trial.
In September 2019, after Hall had been declared fit to stand trial, pre-trial hearings were held and the first of two trial dates were set. Both trial dates had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today, Sheriff Rudolph and his family received justice and peace knowing that Mr. Hall will be sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence. This case is a true example of the fact that police officers risk their lives every day to protect the public. If not for the actions of civilian John Harzynski and Trooper Ron Ensminger during the early morning hours of December 11th the result could have been grave. (Note: This is the same Trooper Ensminger who was tragically injured recently by being run over by Deyanna Davis in Buffalo on June 2nd). We thank both John and Trooper Ensminger for their heroism and we wish him a speedy recovery. I also want to thank the New York State Police and all the assisting agencies and personnel in helping to bring about this successful outcome,” said District Attorney Donald O’Geen.
————————————————-Previously—————————————
On December 11, 2018, at approximately 6:35 A.M., Wyoming County Sheriff Gregory Rudolph was on his way to work in uniform, operating an unmarked Ford Taurus Police Vehicle. While traveling on State Route 238 in the town of Attica, an unknown vehicle began to tailgate Sheriff Rudolph flashing its lights. Sheriff Rudolph pulled over to see if the vehicle needed assistance. The vehicle then pulled in front of the Sheriff’s vehicle blocking him in.
Hall exited his vehicle and met Sheriff Rudolph at the door of his police vehicle and engaged him in a physical altercation. At this point, the Sheriff recognized the man as someone who had applied for a pistol permit and had come to the Sheriff’s Office the day prior to inquire on it. Hall attempted to gain control of the Sheriff’s weapon and a struggle continued to the ground on the side of the roadway. Hall ended up on top of the Sheriff with a knife threatening to take his life. During the ground altercation, two civilian newspaper delivers stopped and assisted the Sheriff along with an off-duty New York State Trooper. Sheriff Rudolph was treated for non-life-threatening injuries