Albion man will be in prison for about a decade after assault
ALBION – An Albion man will be in prison for about a decade after an assault that nearly killed a man on June 9, 2017.
Wesley Askew
Wesley Askew, 50, on May 15 pleaded guilty to attempted assault in the second degree. That charge carries a maximum of 2 to 4 years in prison.
However, because Askew was on parole, he goes back to prison until 2025 or for the seven years remaining on his post-release supervision. Then he will serve 2 to 4 more years in prison.
He was on post-release supervision after getting out from prison in late 2015. He was convicted in May 2009 of second-degree rape. He is a level 3 sex offender, the highest possible risk for re-offending.
He was sentenced today for the assault charge in Orleans County Court by Judge Sara Sheldon.
Askew seriously injured another Albion man on June 9, 2017 during a late-night fight at 175 North Main St., an apartment building north of the Erie Canal. Askew allegedly got into an altercation at 1:45 a.m. and allegedly punched another man several times, causing serious head injuries.
Joseph Julyan, 55, tried to intervene when Askew got in an argument with his girlfriend. Askew testified at a trial he was upset that Julyan didn’t mind his own business, District Attorney Joe Cardone said.
Askew allegedly punched Julyan five to seven times in the head. Julyan got to his feet, but fell and hit his head on concrete. Julyan suffered a stroke and has some paralysis on his right side.
“Virtually every time I have talked with him he has expressed remorse,” Askew’s attorney Larry Koss told Judge Sheldon. “He understands the tragedy that took place here.”
Askew had been drinking alcohol that night, which helps explain his actions but doesn’t excuse them, Koss said.
Cardone said Askew’s “overreaction” has caused “a devastating effect” for Julyan and his family, requiring care for the rest of his life.
Sheldon said Askew’s actions resulted in “a life sentenced for the victim.”
“I don’t believe you intended to leave this man basically as a vegetable,” Sheldon said at sentencing. “Basically you’ve destroyed his life.”
Askew was given “a gift” with the plea deal, the judge said.
It proved difficult for a doctor to pinpoint if Julyan’s injuries were caused by the punches from Askew or when Julyan fell and hit his head, Cardone said after Askew pleaded guilty in May.
The sentence today sends Askew to prison for 9 to 11 years.
