D.A. Baker; Charges Increased, Against Pulteney Suspect

Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker reports that 25 year old Annika Szathmary of Pultney, is now being charged with 2^nd degree murder.  Szathmary was originally charged on May 3^rd with 2^nd degree attempted murder, but the stabbing victim has died. 

FULL STATEMENT FROM D.A. BROOKS BAKER:  3:00pm  

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Steuben County Grand Jury handed up an indictment charging Annika M. Szathmary, 25, of Pulteney, with one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class A1 felony.  The indictment alleges that Szathmary intentionally caused the death of 53 year old William Pryll at this home in the Town of Pulteney, on May 3, 2025.  According to District Attorney Brooks Baker, law enforcement involved with the case began with a 9-1-1 call from Szathmary, requesting assistance with a dead body at the residence.  Steuben County Sheriff's Deputies responded and forced entry into the home, finding the victim unresponsive and bleeding on the kitchen floor.  Szathmary was found with the murder weapon in the other room.  Deputies, trained as paramedics, gave medical aid and were able to stabilize Pryll at the scene for transport to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he later succumbed to the stab wounds inflicted by the defendant.  Lt. Christopher Kennedy of the Sheriff's Office led the investigation, including the interview of the defendant, which yielded a confession that she stabbed Pryll in the back and heart, with the intent to kill him.  Szathmary, who now faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, is currently being held in the Steuben County Jail without bail.  She is represented by the Steuben County Public Defenders Office and will be arraigned in Steuben County Court at a later date.

 

BEGWS: Hydrant Flushing Friday, May 16 In Bath

FROM BATH, ELECTRIC, GAS AND WATER:

POTENTIAL FOR DISCOLORED WATER

We have been made aware that the Village Street Department is flushing the hydrants by the Fairgrounds on Chestnut Street and East Washington Street as they will be milling tomorrow.

As a result of these activities, there is a high potential for discolored water. Please avoid running hot water and/or washing whites until ensuring your water is clear.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.

 

Hammondsport Principal To Talk About Cell Phone Rules

Hammondsport Secondary Principal Tad Rounds announced this morning that because Governor Kathy Hochul has gotten new cell phone rules for students passed, rules which will go into effect in September, that he will be holding a meeting with students about the new state rules on Wednesday, May 22.  That will be in Room 134.  Rounds is also asking those who cannot attend, to email or call him.  Both parents and students are invited to this meeting on Wednesday of next week. 

 

Seqr Process Is Moving Forward For Leachate Plant

The Department. of Environmental Conservation says, the Steuben County Legislature says that the proposed Steuben County Leachate Pre-Treatment Plant Improvements Project will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. According to the D.E.C., the Steuben County Leachate Pre-Treatment Plant provides pretreatment for leachate from the New and Old Bath Landfills as well as several other landfills.  Officials say, it also discharges to the Village of Bath Wastewater Treatment plant.

 

United Way Of The Southern Tier's Recent Grants

The United Way of the Southern Tier was in Bath Wednesday afternoon, announcing grants being given to numerous organizations in the region.  Among the grants given out: Arbor Housing and Development got $20,000 for home repairs and upgrades for the elderly.  Bampa’s House in Corning got a $10,000 grant for hospice training for volunteers.  Corning Meals on Wheels got a grant for about $7,000 for kitchen safety upgrades.  Steuben County Faith in Action got $5,000 in grant money for office equipment and technology upgrades.  Among the other grants presented yesterday: a $20,000 grant to Pro Action Meals On Wheels-Steuben, for buying a delivery vehicle.  Steuben County Habitat For Humanity got $20,000 for home ramps and accessibility upgrades.  And Steuben County’s Office of the Aging received $10,000 for a senior citizens program.

 

This Reminder: The Annual Memorial Service For Officers Who Have Died In The Line Of Duty, Will Be Friday At 6:00

Tomorrow at 6:00pm at the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office on Rumsey Street Extension, they’re having the Law Enforcement Memorial Service.  Elected officials and others will be remembering the names of those officers who died in the line of duty in Steuben, Yates, Allegany, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, and Skyler Counties.

 

Emilees Trailer Challenge, Is Available For Presentations

The sheriff also wants people to know that Emilees Trailer presentation is something the county has been doing a lot of lately, and they’re available to do an Emilees Trailer Challenge for your school, church or organization.  You can contact the sheriff’s department in Bath to set up a time and date.  The Emilees Trailer is a trailer with actual fatal accident auto parts and videos.  One of those in the videos is a dispatcher who not only has answered a huge number of 9-1-1 calls about dwi, drug and distracted driver accidents, but lost her own daughter to a distracted driving accident in 2019.