Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen reports that Daniel J. Guynup, dob 2/18/98 of Saratoga Springs, New York, was convicted by a Saratoga County trial jury on February 6, 2020 following a trial that spanned over a two-week period. Guynup was found guilty of Strangulation in the Second Degree, a class “D” felony, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 121.12; Assault in the Third Degree, a class “A” misdemeanor, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 120.00(1); Assault in the Second Degree, a class “D” violent felony, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 120.05(6); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class “A” misdemeanor, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 265.01(2); Menacing in the Second Degree, a class “B” misdemeanor, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 120.14(1); Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, a class “A” misdemeanor, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 145.00(1); Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, a class “A” misdemeanor, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 215.50(3); and Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation offense, in violation of New York State Penal Law Section 240.26(1). Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III presided over the trial.
The charges arose from a series of incidents that occurred during two days in the early part of June 2019 in the City of Saratoga Springs and on August 18, 2019 in the Town of Corinth. All of the charges involved the same victim. The victim relived the incidents during trial, testifying in detail about the defendant’s actions and resulting injuries suffered at the defendant’s hands, including being strangled, bruises to the body, head, marks on the neck, a swollen eye and bruising on the forehead. The victim also testified about the defendant violating a Court’s Order of Protection after he was directed to have no contact with the victim.
District Attorney Heggen noted, “This case of domestic violence demonstrates the significant, manipulating incidents endured by the victim over a period of time at the hands of the defendant. The jury’s verdict determined that the defendant strangled the victim by placing his hands around the victim’s neck, thereby causing stupor, loss of consciousness and physical injury. He also illegally possessed a weapon, a pointed-tip metal tool, which he used to menace the victim during the incident, causing fear of physical injury. The victim suffered multiple physical injuries, including bruises to the body, head, neck and eye at the hands of the defendant Guynup.”
Senior Assistant District Attorney Michele Schettino and Assistant District Attorney Rachael Phelan prosecuted the case. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2020 at 9:30 am. The defendant faces up to seven years in prison.