Police arrest four on murder charges

Four people have been arrested on murder charges in connection with the killing of a Chester man, state police said Friday.

Authorities identified the slain man as Michael Partridge, 28. They said he was found by a passing motorist severely beaten and bound on North Hudson Street in the village on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at approximately 8:15 p.m. The motorist called 911 and village police responded along with emergency medical services personnel. Partridge was taken to Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, where he was pronounced dead, according to state police.

An investigation by state police, along with village police, Goshen police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, led to the arrest of Seth Pelsang, 30; Timothy D. Smith, 36; Courtney Clemenza, 31; and Robert Haskell, 54. State police said Clemenza is from Chester and the other three are from Goshen.

All four were charged with second-degree murder and arraigned in Town of Wallkill Court, state police said, adding that they were all remanded to Orange County Jail without bail. They are scheduled to appear in Town of Goshen Court on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 3 p.m.

Authorities did not disclose a motive in the killing. State police said it’s believed the killing is an isolated incident and there is no reason to believe that a danger exists to public safety.

The investigation is ongoing. State police are asking for anyone with information to call their Middletown barracks at (845) 344-5300.