Man accused of stabbing RPD officer Denny Wright rejects plea deal

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The man accused of stabbing an RPD officer rejected a plea deal in court Wednesday.

Keith Williams instead will go to trial in April. Williams is accused of attacking Officer Denny Wright in October 2019.

Wright answered a call for a domestic incident on Peck Street. Williams is accused of attacking Wright with a knife, stabbing Wright several times in the face.

Wright suffered life-threatening injuries. He has since lost his eyesight.

"I think the most disappointing thing is to put Officer Wright through this trial. That was why we offered the plea in the first place, just to spare him having to testify, but now that Mr. Williams is rejecting that, we are looking forward to putting all of the evidence before a jury," said Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

Williams is charged with attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault of a police officer.

News10NBC’s Raven Brown talked to Wright about how he feels about the decision.

"Ever since this happened to me it’s been love and support," Wright said. "It’s been nonstop."

That love and support surrounding Wright outside of court from his brothers and sisters in blue as Wright heard Williams reject the plea deal.

"It was not unexpected," Wright said. "I always figured this would go to a trial. As much as I would like this over today. It’s not how things work and I just have to continue to move forward."

He said after two years, he’s glad things are finally moving forward.

"I don’t know if there’s going to be any great feeling," Wright said. "I walked in here without my sight and I will walk out without my sight… to have an end to something is good. I don’t want someone else to get hurt."

District Attorney Sandra Doorley said the deal was for aggravated assault against a police officer and 25 years in prison. Doorley said she’s confident the evidence is there to reach a conviction.

"I think the most disappointing thing is to put Officer Wright through this trial," Doorley said. "That was why we offered the plea in the first place, just to spare him having to testify, but now that Mr. Williams is rejecting that, we are looking forward to putting all of the evidence before a jury."

Williams’s trial is set to begin in late April. If convicted, he faces 40 years to life in prison.

Wright said he hopes there will be justice.

"He will get punished for what he did to me," Wright said. "He will never be punished for what he did to my family or to my friends."