Prosecutor: Greenfield shooting victim lost eye in attack

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

Stephen Lerario appears Monday in Saratoga County Court for a bail hearing.

BALLSTON SPA — A woman who was shot in the head earlier this month, allegedly by her boyfriend, lost an eye and suffered multiple facial fractures, a prosecutor said on Monday.

Katie M. Gilbert, 33, has undergone extensive surgeries since the April 7 shooting at the Grange Road Mobile Home Park in Greenfield Center, Saratoga County prosecutor Jennifer Buckley said.

Buckley spoke during a morning hearing at which the man accused of shooting Gilbert, Stephen Lerario, sought bail.

Lerario, 42, of Greenfield, faces one count of first-degree assault that accuses him of shooting Gilbert with a shotgun after an argument.

Lerario has been in custody since shortly after the shooting. His criminal history, which includes two prior prison stints for drug-related convictions, meant any application for bail had to be made in County Court.

Buckley pointed to Gilbert’s injuries as part of her argument that Lerario should remain in custody without bail. Buckley did not indicate whether Gilbert remained hospitalized as of Monday.

Lerario’s attorney, Mark Palozzi, asked for a reasonable bail amount, arguing that Lerario has local ties.

Judge James Murphy agreed with Gilbert and ordered Lerario held without bail.

Lerario’s criminal history opens him up to a potential sentence, if convicted, of 25 years to life, Buckley said.

That, prior failures to appear in court and significant downstate ties makes him a flight risk, she said.

“The seriousness of this situation cannot be underscored enough,” Buckley told the judge.