Boyfriend Ready for Assault Plea Re-Arrested After Walking Out of Court

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LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A Geneseo man accused of Assault and Strangulation for allegedly attacking his girlfriend in January was re-arrested at the county courthouse Thursday morning for walking out of the front door while his case was still being handled inside.

Reuben Whitt, 45, said at his court appearance that he was prepared to take a plea to Assault in the Second Degree, which carries a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison, with an agreed-upon sentence of four months’ local jail, but requested an adjournment which Judge Dennis Cohen refused to grant, and his case was set to be recalled in a few minutes so that he could talk the deal over with his lawyer.

“There is a vehicle that he needs to take off the road,” said Whitt’s attorney, Ann Connor. “He would like some time to resolve an issue with his car insurance.”

In the intervening minutes, Whitt left the courthouse, which according to him he did to call family members to sort out his insurance matter. However, as he did not appear inside when his case was recalled, Judge Cohen issued a bench warrant for his arrest, and he was arrested by Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Sweeting.

“I was trying so hard to call my brothers, my family, to sort everything out,” said Reuben, exasperated. “15 minutes is not a lot of time, I apologize.”

Whitt will appear before Judge Cohen this afternoon to readdress his case.

Whitt, of Geneseo, was arrested for Strangulation in the Second Degree, a D Felony, Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Third Degree, and Unlicensed Operation on January 16.

PHOTO CAPTION: Reuben Whitt. (Photo/Geneseo Police Department)