KINGSTON, NY – On August 15, 2024, Jalik Walker, age 24, of Kingston, pleaded guilty to Strangulation in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony, and Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, a Class E felony, before the Honorable Bryan Rounds. Sentencing is scheduled for November 14, 2024, before the Honorable Bryan Rounds.
On April 23, 2024, Walker repeatedly punched his partner while she laid on the ground following a verbal domestic dispute that escalated and then became physical. He then pressed his arm to the victim’s throat causing her to have difficulty breathing and physical injury. Kingston Police Department officers arrested Walker and an order of protection was issued for the victim, requiring Walker to stay away from the victim and refrain from all direct or third-party communications with her.
On May 27, 2024, Kingston Police Department officers observed Walker in the physical presence of the victim after receiving a 911 call from a community member who witnessed Walker physically assaulting the victim on the street. Walker was arrested and indicted for Criminal Contempt in the First Degree and Resisting Arrest.
On July 15, 2024, the Kingston Police Department received a 911 call reporting that Walker was slapping the victim in the face repeatedly. When approached by Kingston Police Department officers, Walker attempted to flee and resisted arrest. Walker was arrested on charges of Criminal Contempt and remanded to the Ulster County Jail. While incarcerated, Walker repeatedly violated the orders of protection by calling the victim from another incarcerated individual’s phone.
“Jalik Walker is a dangerous individual who subjected this young woman to repeated abuse. Even after multiple orders of protection and arrests, he continued to violate the court orders, locking in his grip to the victim,” said Special Victims Bureau Chief Jenna Hastings. “This conviction was secured by the incredible hard work of Detective Michael DeFrance, the Kingston Police Department, the collaboration of our office’s Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Task Force, Sheriff’s Office staff at the Ulster County Jail, and the Kingston community members who reported the abuse they saw in their streets. This case is exemplary of the IPVI model working in this community.”
Bureau Chief Hastings is prosecuting the case. Conflict defender Mark Formichelli of the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office represents Walker.
