On June 14, 2024, Dexter Silen, of the City of Schenectady, was sentenced to a period of 7 years state incarceration, with 5 years of post-release supervision, and full stay away orders of protection following his April 19, 2024 guilty plea to two counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree, a class C violent felony and a violation of Penal Law §§ 110.00 and 120.10 (1). Mr. Silen’s plea and sentence took in full satisfaction a 10-count indictment, charging Mr. Silen with two counts of Attempted Murder in violation of Penal Law §§ 110.00 and 125.25 (1), two counts of Attempted Assault in the First Degree in violation of Penal Law §§ 110.00 and 120.10 (1), two counts of Assault in the Second Degree in violation of Penal Law § 120.05 (2), two counts of Burglary in the First Degree in violation of Penal Law § 140.30 (2), one count of Burglary in the First Degree in violation of Penal Law § 140.30 (3), and one count of Assault in the Third Degree in violation of Penal Law § 120.00 (1).
The indictment arises out of a December 4, 2023 home invasion. Shortly after midnight, Mr. Silen, armed with a knife, broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. When Mr. Silen discovered his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend was in the apartment, he began to slash and stab at the two with a pocket knife. The attack left Mr. Silen’s victims with multiple slashing wounds which were ultimately not life threatening. Mr. Silen was not harmed. The victims were later transported to Albany Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries.
Mr. Silen, who fled the scene after the attack, was located later that day by the Schenectady County Street Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency unit responsible for responding to street level crimes throughout the County and also specializes in locating suspects of serious crimes. He was still wearing clothes bearing blood from his victims.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Weinhold. Mr. Silen was represented by Assistant Public Defender Lauren Mack. Schenectady County Court Judge Matthew J. Sypniewski presided over the case.