NORWICH – The Smithville man who stabbed his co-worker and girlfriend's ex-boyfriend during a fist fight outside of his home was sentenced to five years in prison.
In March of 2014, 30-year-old Kyle V. Whitfield was arrested for murder in the second degree, a class A-1 felony.
Whitfield had a physical altercation with his co-worker and girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, 33-year-old James G. Button of Greene, which started inside Whitfield's Smithville residence and ended outside the home.
On March 3, 2014, at approximately 3:20 p.m., outside Whitfield’s residence in Smithville, Whitfield stabbed Button four times with a folding knife causing his death.
According to authorities, Whitfield's girlfriend called 911 to complain that Button was trespassing before the stabbing took place and later there was a second 911 phone call reporting the stabbing.
When NYSP arrived at the residence, authorities said Button was pronounced dead at the scene.
Whitfield was indicted for manslaughter in the first degree, a class B felony, on March 20, 2014.
It was alleged, per the indictment, Whitfield intended to cause physical injury to Button by stabbing him, not to cause his death, but it was also alleged that in stabbing him, Whitfield did cause Button's death.
Whitfield pleaded not guilty and prepared to go to trial. He faced up to 25 years.
On March 9, 2015, Whitfield withdrew his not guilty plea and pleaded guilty to the class B felony of manslaughter in the first degree.
According to District Attorney Joseph A. McBride at the March 9 court proceeding, Button was looking for Whitfield's girlfriend's mother, which led to the argument that ensued.
On April 24, 2015, Whitfield reappeared in Chenango County Court to be sentenced by Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr.
Before Whitfield was sentenced, Button's sister then his ex-wife who is the mother of his first two children spoke.
Button's sister said the day she heard from her father that her brother had been stabbed was the “day the world stopped.” When she found out he was dead, she said it “did not seem real.”
“There is no justice for my brother's life being taken,” she said. “We do not agree with [Whitfield] getting five years.”
“It seems like my brother was the one on trial, but if Kyle would not have followed my brother outside to his vehicle, he would still be alive today,” she added.
Button's sister said although Whitfield “did not get much time” she hoped it would “be the worst five years of his life,” and she said she did not believe Whitfield's girlfriend would be waiting for him when he gets out.
“I hope you enjoyed spending my brother's life insurance money,” she said.
