SUFFERN, N.Y.
Cable television newsman Dominic Carter, an influential reporter on New York politics, was convicted Friday of an attempted assault on his wife.
The Rockland County district attorney's office issued a one-sentence statement Friday saying Carter, 46, was found guilty of third-degree attempted assault.
The maximum sentence is three months in jail.
Carter, who was political anchor on NY1 until the station learned of the accusation, had been accused of the more serious charge of third-degree assault. His wife, Marilyn Carter, called 911 last year from their home in Pomona and claimed he hit her. Photos presented at trial showed a swollen lip, a cut ear and a bruised arm and leg.
However, she recanted her allegation on the witness stand during Carter's Oct. 29 trial.
Friday's decision by Ramapo Town Justice Arnold Etelson was not immediately made public. But defense attorney Martin Gotkin said the judge found that Marilyn Carter did not sustain "impairment of physical condition or substantial pain" as required for a conviction on the assault charge.
Gotkin said Dominic Carter "still maintains his innocence, claims he never did this and he's going to continue fighting this case to vindicate himself. His intention right now is to appeal."
A call to Steve Paulus, general manager of NY1, was not immediately returned Friday. The station said on the day of the trial that Carter had taken an indefinite leave of absence.
Gotkin said sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 14.
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