Leeds man guilty of vicious, two-day assault of former girlfriend

CATSKILL―A Leeds man has been convicted on multiple charges stemming from a brutal assault on his ex-girlfriend who he held captive for two days.

On Friday, a Greene County jury found Michael LaRosa, 26, guilty on two counts of second-degree violent felony assault and one count of first-degree felony unlawful imprisonment, as well as three misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation.

The attack took place over a two-day period between September 9 and September 10, 2024.

“Not only did he punch, kick and choke her to the point that she could not breathe, but he then took a metal toilet paper holder―the type that holds about five rolls of toilet paper―and used it to beat her,” according to Greene County District Attorney Joseph Stanzione.

“Even that was not enough for him as he then proceeded to dig his teeth into her body and rip out a piece of flesh from the back of her shoulder,” Stanzione said.

On the second day of the assault, LaRosa forced the victim onto her hands and knees while naked and proceeded to kick her in the head, face and body, the district attorney said.

“As he was engaged in this conduct, a person knocked on the door,” Stanzione said, adding that LaRosa demanded the victim remain in the bedroom.

When LaRosa answered the door, Stanzione said the victim dove out of a window, still naked, and ran to the home of a neighbor who called police.

“Michael LaRosa will now be held accountable for the violent crimes he perpetrated against his victim,” said Stanzione. “The jury paid strict attention to all of the details of the case and came to a proper verdict.”

“I thank the New York State Police for their thorough work on this case,” he said. “I am proud of my entire staff, all of whom worked on this case, with special thanks to Assistant District Attorney Krista Kline and Assistant District Attorney Marissa Harris who prosecuted the case in the courtroom.”

The case was presided over by Greene County Court Judge Charles M. Tailleur. LaRosa is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.