Kenneth S. Welsh accused of trying to shoot wife

STAR JOURNAL REPORT

A 60-year-old Tripoli man accused of trying to shoot his wife at their town of Lynne residence April 19 may end up entering into a plea agreement instead of going to trial in Oneida County Circuit Court.

Kenneth S. Welsh, who has remained in custody after his bond was reduced June 15 from $100,000 to $40,000 cash, was back in court Thursday for a pretrial conference with his new attorney, Rodman Wells Streicher. Streicher was appointed to Welsh’s case last month by the state Public Defender’s office after Judge Michael H. Bloom granted a motion for public defender Mary L. Roth Burns to withdraw as Welsh’s legal counsel.

According to online court records, Streicher stated he anticipates a resolution in the case and requested a plea/sentencing hearing, which was agreed to by district attorney Michael W. Schiek. Neither the prosecution nor the defense requested a presentence investigation, which is often conducted by someone from the state Department of Corrections prior to sentencing on a felony conviction. Bloom set Welsh’s plea/sentencing hearing for Sept. 20.

Welsh faces felony charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and reckless injury, as well as misdemeanor counts of domestic abuse battery and possessing a firearm while intoxicated. The attempted murder charge alone carries a possible maximum penalty of 40 years of initial confinement in prison. Welsh pleaded not guilty May 16 to all the counts against him.

Welsh is accused of possessing a firearm during a physical altercation April 19 with his wife, Mary Butler, and receiving a gunshot wound to his shoulder during the altercation. Upon Butler then leaving the residence, court records allege Welsh shot the windshield of the vehicle with which she drove away.

Court records further state that Welsh was apprehended at his residence after Special Response Team officers responded to the scene and used beanbag rounds to subdue him.