Paul Echols of Ellenville was found not guilty of misdemeanor resisting arrest and obstructing government administration, but guilty of the violations of harassment and disorderly conduct, in a rare trial in New Paltz town court that concluded yesterday. Echols received a $250 fine and 50 hours community service. The charges were the result of a September 9 incident outside of P&G’s in New Paltz at about 3:30 a.m. involving a fight and allegations by Echols of police brutality against the town.

Paul Echols is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and other crimes stemming from a September 9 incident outside of P&G’s in New Paltz. Accounts differ, but by the end of that encounter Echols had a broken jaw and some police officers were reportedly covered in blood, which they say was spit on them by the defendant. Whether Echols’ jaw was broken prior to when the police responded — he was punched in the face, initiating the altercation which got officers’ attention — or while in custody is one of the facts in dispute.