New York Jury Finds Man Guilty for Clown-Mask Chain-Saw Incident

A state court jury in Albany County, New York, has convicted a 35-year-old man on two felony counts for walking through a residential neighborhood in Cohoes while wearing a clown mask and displaying a chain saw in the middle of the afternoon. The panel returned its verdict on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, after two days of testimony and roughly two hours of deliberation.

The defendant was found guilty of first-degree menacing and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon for the events that unfolded on 1 May. Under New York’s sentencing guidelines, he faces a potential prison term ranging from two to seven years when he appears before the court on 6 February. He remains in custody while awaiting sentencing.

Prosecutors said surveillance footage captured the man walking along neighborhood streets shortly before 3:00 p.m. He was dressed in a football jersey and a full-face clown mask, and he carried a red chain saw with a plastic blade guard in place. According to trial evidence, a resident who noticed the unusual sight confronted the masked individual. During that encounter, the defendant allegedly removed the sheath, raised the chain saw in what prosecutors described as a threatening manner and advanced toward the resident.

A physical struggle followed. The resident managed to disarm and restrain the defendant until Cohoes police officers arrived. Responding officers recovered the chain saw and also located a pair of metal knuckles on the suspect, according to testimony presented by the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.

The prosecution called four witnesses, including the resident who intervened and law-enforcement personnel involved in the arrest. Jurors viewed a short video clip from neighborhood security cameras that showed segments of the confrontation and the ensuing scuffle. The defendant exercised his right not to testify, and the defense presented no witnesses. Closing arguments finished late Wednesday morning; deliberations began that afternoon and concluded with the guilty verdicts before the end of the business day.

First-degree menacing, the more serious of the two charges, involves intentionally placing or attempting to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury through the use of a deadly weapon. The offense is classified as a Class E felony under New York Penal Law §120.13. Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon covers the unlawful possession of certain weapons, including metal knuckles, and is likewise a Class D or E felony depending on the circumstances. Both statutes formed the basis for the indictment handed down earlier this year.

In court, Assistant District Attorneys focused on establishing that the chain saw, even if not running at the time, constituted a dangerous instrument capable of causing serious injury when wielded. They also argued that the defendant’s decision to wear a clown mask in broad daylight was intended to amplify fear among bystanders. Defense counsel cross-examined witnesses but did not dispute the authenticity of the video evidence.

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The brief trial marked the culmination of a case that drew local attention shortly after the original incident. Police reports from the day noted multiple 911 calls from residents who said they were startled or frightened by a masked figure carrying what appeared to be an operable chain saw. Although no serious injuries were reported, prosecutors maintained that the potential for harm justified the felony charges ultimately brought.

Judge Richard M. Julius, who presided over the proceedings, ordered that a pre-sentence investigation be completed ahead of the February hearing. Factors such as the defendant’s criminal history, mental-health evaluations and statements from the victim will weigh into the final sentence. The menacing conviction alone carries a maximum of four years, while the weapon possession charge can raise total exposure to seven years, depending on whether the sentences are imposed consecutively.

Neither the defendant nor representatives from the Public Defender’s Office responded to requests for comment following the verdict. The district attorney’s office, meanwhile, issued a brief statement applauding the jury’s decision and noting that the case underscores the seriousness with which local authorities treat weapons-related threats in residential areas.

Local officials have not indicated any additional charges or related investigations stemming from the 1 May confrontation. Court records show no pending motions, and both sides agreed on the February date for formal sentencing.

Crédito da imagem: Associated Press