Man arraigned on 13 counts, including attempted murder for attack on Holley police officer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 August 2021 at 10:33 am

ALBION – A Holley man was arraigned this morning in Orleans County Court on 13 counts, including attempted murder in the second degree.

David Simoni, 32, was charged on June 15 after he allegedly lunged at a Holley police officer, attempting to stab him, when the officer was dispatched to the Holley waterfalls on Frisbee Terrace that evening.

Simoni was allegedly walking around with a knife antagonizing people, Robert Barton, Holley police chief, said on June 16.

An Holley officer approached Simoni, who was sitting on a park bench and did not respond to any of the officer’s questions. The officer then spoke with other individuals in the park to investigate the incident, Barton said.

When the officer returned to Simoni, who was still sitting on the bench, a physical altercation ensued as Simoni lunged at the officer, Barton said. During the altercation, the man attempted to stab the officer with a knife, Barton said.

With the assistance of nearby citizens, the officer was able to disarm Simoni and then the officer utilized his taser to cause the male to disengage. The male was taken into custody without further incident.

Simoni has been in the Orleans County Jail on $50,000 cash bail and $100,000 bond. County Court Judge Sanford Church kept the bail at those levels during today’s arraignment.

Simoni also was arraigned on menacing a police officer, reckless endangerment in the first degree, attempted assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, menacing in the second degree, criminal obstruction of breathing, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, criminal mischief with intent to damage property, acting in an injurious manner to a child younger than 17, and resisting arrest.

Simoni is represented by Public Defender Joanne Best. She and District Attorney Joe Cardone both requested a mental health evaluation for Simoni, and Church agreed to order that evaluation.