A New York State Appellate Court has upheld a new sentence in Steuben County court for a man who was convicted of attempting to kill two State Troopers. The Appellate Court had previously vacated the sentence and ordered the judge to re-sentence Richard E. VanGorden, 46, formerly of Addison. When the court did, and made the two attempted murder convictions to be served consecutively and not concurrently, VanGorden appealed.
In 2012, VanGorden lead State Police on a wild high-speed chase. At one point, he slowed, aimed a rifle out the window and fired at two Troopers. In the Appellate Court decision, it ruled, "in
view of defendant’s extensive prior criminal history and the serious nature of
the offenses, we further conclude that the resentence is not unduly harsh or
severe."
VanGorden is currently serving a sentence of 34-40 years at the Great Meadow Correctional Facility, which is located outside Fort Ann in Washington County, in northern New York. His earliest release date is January 4, 2046.
You can view the entire Appellate decision, here.
