FORMER TOWN JUDGE CANDIDATE CONVICTED AFTER JURY TRIAL

DELHI - Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith announced that George Sydlar, 74, of Davenport New York was convicted by a jury of his peers on January 19, 2024, in the Town of Kortright.  

Sydlar was charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident to 911, a Class A Misdemeanor, in the Town of Davenport on July 6, 2023.  The case was transferred to the Town of Kortright after the Davenport Judge recused himself- citing a potential conflict of interest as the defendant was running for Davenport Town Judge at the time he was arrested.  The allegations were that Sydlar called 911 and reported that his neighbor committed a crime, despite knowing that his neighbor had not committed a crime. Further allegations were that the defendant had engaged in this behavior on approximately two dozen occasions, after being told by the police that any dispute he had with his neighbor was civil and not criminal.  

After rejecting all plea offers to resolve the case, a jury was selected in the Town of Kortright, and the case was tried by 1st Assistant District Attorney Schuyler Kinneman.  After hearing testimony from four witnesses, the jury deliberated for less than one hour before they found the defendant guilty as charged. After being convicted, the Honorable Yvonne J. Pagillo ordered that a Pre-Sentence Investigation be completed, and the case was adjourned until March for sentencing.  The defendant faces a sentence of up to one year in jail.       

District Attorney Shawn Smith thanked the residents of Kortright for their jury service stating, “Every defendant has a constitutional right to be tried by a jury, and I am grateful that the residents of Kortright graciously dedicated their time to serve in that vital role.” 

Smith also commended Sergeant Eric Alexander, Deputy Justin Mohr, and Deputy Tim Tryon of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Department for their thorough investigation of this case. “Their thorough investigation permitted us to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.” 

Shawn J. Smith

Delaware County District Attorney