STUYVESANT — Diana Huyck told police that the fatal stabbing of an Austerlitz man was an act of self-defense, her attorney said Wednesday in Columbia County Court.
Huyck, 52, was charged in April with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 50-year-old John K. Ford.
Stephen Coffey, Huyck’s attorney, said in Wednesday’s virtual hearing that there was a long history of physical abuse between Huyck and Ford.
“There was an order of protection,” Coffey said. “Ms. Huyck had allowed him to see her, but there’s a long history of him being abusive to her, hitting her, being violent towards her.”
Huyck suffered fractures to her arm and leg on the night of the stabbing, Coffey said. Ford was using a pole to hit Huyck and her dog, he added.
Coffey said Huyck does not have a criminal history and he requested nominal bail.
There had been an order of protection for Huyck the night of the incident, but there had previously been an order of protection going in the opposite direction compelling Huyck to stay away from Ford, Assistant Columbia County District Attorney Ryan Carty said Wednesday.
“It’s not all just a one-way street,” Carty said.
Carty also requested if Huyck was released, an order of protection be issued for two members of Ford’s family.
Columbia County Court Judge Jonathan Nichols set bail at $5,000 and bond at $10,000. Nichols also ordered Huyck to remain in the contiguous counties around Columbia County, which would include Albany, Greene, Ulster and Dutchess.
In addition, Nichols ordered Huyck to report weekly with the Columbia County Probation Department for pre-trial monitoring.
The alleged stabbing occurred around 5:45 p.m. April 17 on Dolly Drive in the Summerset Landing Mobile Home Park, at 155 Summerset Road.
After he was wounded, Ford staggered to another home in the park looking for help. A neighbor who asked not to be identified said she performed CPR on Ford as another neighbor called 911.
When troopers arrived at the scene they found Ford had a severe injury to his upper body, state police public information officer Aaron Hicks said. Troopers along with members of the Valatie Rescue Squad attempted life-saving techniques. Ford was pronounced dead by Columbia County Coroner Michael Blasl.
A preliminary investigation indicates that Huyck stabbed Ford during a domestic dispute, Hicks has said.
Huyck was arraigned in Stuyvesant Town Court before Justice Carrie A. O’Hare and was taken to the Columbia County Jail, where she was being held without bail.
Huyck was charged at the Livingston state police barracks last month with second-degree murder, a class A1 felony, Hicks said. Her next court appearance had been scheduled for April 21 in Stuyvesant Town Court, but it was moved to Columbia County Court.
Huyck was suspended from her position as the Coarc transportation manager, pending the outcome of her arraignment, said Coarc CEO Ken Stall.
Check back for more on this developing story.