A former Wyoming County man will be sentenced to 20 years to life on each of two counts of attempted murder in the first degree, in connection with a home invasion last year that garnered a total of 19 criminal counts.
“Through the courageous actions of the victims and the quick response of the Sheriff’s Department on that tragic day in August we were able to bring a career violent criminal to justice," said Wyoming County District Attorney Donald O'Geen.
Michael Finch, 39, currently living in Parrish, FL, pleaded guilty Wednesday in connection with a home invasion in the town of Middlebury.
O'Geen said Finch randomly entered the home owned by Michael Archie on August 13, 2018 to find food and money. Finch ended up repeatedly stabbing and cutting Steven Sierra, 28, and Nicholas Archie, 13, with a meat cleaver and butcher’s knife he had taken from their kitchen.
Finch then fled the scene and disappeared into the nearby woods, until being found and arrested by Wyoming County Sheriff’s deputies.
O'Geen says Finch was determined to be competent to stand trial after a mental evaluation "by two independent doctors."
"I am proud to announce today that this sentence should forever keep this monster from ever getting out of prison," he said. "Too many sentences before this case have allowed this violent individual to get out and terrorize our communities. The victims in this case will be affected by this heinous act for the rest of their lives."
Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 21.
