Felony Assault In Springs

A Springs woman has been charged by East Hampton Town police with assault as a violent felony. Syd Buitrago, 27, allegedly slammed her cell phone into her ex-boyfriend’s face, splitting his lip and breaking two front teeth.

The alleged incident occurred the night of November 15. According to the victim, Buitrago and he had recently begun texting each other after breaking up a relationship that lasted several years. When she showed up unannounced at his home around 9:30 PM Friday, the victim said in a statement to police that he was upset with her, and began yelling at her to leave when she smashed her Apple iPhone into his face.

Buitrago did eventually leave, and the alleged victim went to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital to be treated. Buitrago was soon picked up by police.

On the way to the hospital, the alleged victim stopped at police headquarters and gave a statement.

In court the following morning, East Hampton Town Justice Lisa Rana issued an order of protection for the man in the case.

“There are two sides to this story,” said Carl Irace, Buitrago’s attorney, as he entered a not guilty plea to the felony charge. Rana ordered Buitrago, a lifelong resident of East Hampton, be released without bail.

“If you violate this order of protection in any manner, shape, or form at all, that bail status is going to be revisited,” Rana said.

Under the new laws regulating bail, which has been eliminated in most cases come January 1, it can still be set when a charge is deemed a violent felony, though it must be set at a level the defendant can afford.

t.e@indyeastend.com