Trials set for men accused in savage Alfred State attack
Trials are now set for the four Elmira men accused in the
near-death beating of a first-year Alfred State College student in 2023. The
victim was 19-year-old Derek Correa. Officials at Alfred State College say that
Derek Correa from Bradford, PA was badly beaten by the men as he walked across
campus in the early hours of October 15, 2023.
The four suspects, who were arrested by campus police after
a witness called 911, have no connection to Alfred College or University and remain held in
Allegany County jail.
Police say that 19-year-old Moses Scharborough, 20-year-old
William Blye, 20-year-old Jayson Lewis, and 19-year-old Eric Plante, all of
Elmira, currently face felony counts of attempted murder and gang assault plus
numerous other charges with bail set at $50,000 cash.
A GoFundMe page says that Derek was “violently and brutally
attacked…for no reason leaving him severely injured and everyday fighting for
his life in the Intensive Care unit. Derek has severe trauma to his face and
brain and is in a coma.”
(Derek in photo)
College President Dr. Stephen Mauro said in a YouTube statement that he called the incident after the attack that “the antithesis of everything we love about our valley” and a “senseless act” of violence.
Allegany County court officials tell Wellsville Regional
News exclusively that trials for all defendants are scheduled to begin before Judge
Terrance Parker on September 5th.
In April 2024, Derek was able to visit Alfred State. During
his visit he was able to connect with President Dr. Steve Mauro and Vice
President for Student and Employee Affairs Dr. Greg Sammons.
WRN asked for an updated comment from President Mauro, but none was received.
