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Madison Kreutzer, a Columbia County woman, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to murder a New York State Trooper. The sentencing took place on Wednesday (December 11) in Columbia County Court, following her conviction in August. Kreutzer, 38, was found guilty of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree reckless endangerment, and first-degree criminal trespass, among other charges.
The charges stem from a November 2020 incident in Gallatin, New York, where Kreutzer fired shots at a state trooper responding to a trespassing call. According to the Daily Gazette, Kreutzer barricaded herself in a home on Doodletown Road and eventually surrendered to police. During the trial, retired State Police Sgt. Paul Strobel testified that Kreutzer fired at least two shots at him, narrowly missing.
In addition to her prison sentence, Kreutzer will serve five years of probation upon release. The Times Union reported that Kreutzer's defense attorney, James Knox, highlighted her strong support network and her efforts to improve herself since the incident. Despite these arguments, Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Botts emphasized the severity of Kreutzer's actions and the potential danger to Sgt. Strobel.
Kreutzer's case has drawn attention due to the number of character letters submitted on her behalf, as noted by News10. The court considered these letters but ultimately handed down a significant sentence to reflect the seriousness of the crime.