Babylon Town board member Lindsay Henry charged in domestic incident, police say
Babylon Town board member Lindsay Henry is pictured on Oct. 1, 2013. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Babylon Town Board member Lindsay Henry was charged Wednesday with beating his girlfriend in a domestic incident.
Henry, 54, of Oak Beach, pleaded not guilty to third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, in First District Court in Central Islip, his attorney said. He was allowed to go free without bail.
“I have nothing to say,” Henry said outside a courtroom on Wednesday.
“During a domestic dispute, the victim suffered a physical injury on Sept. 10,” said Suffolk County Assistant Police Commissioner Justin Meyers. “Henry surrendered himself to the First Precinct on Sept. 12. He was held overnight.”
Henry, a lawyer, is the son of former Suffolk District Attorney Patrick Henry and the brother of Suffolk District Court Judge Jennifer Henry.
Defense attorney George Duncan of Central Islip said his client is innocent. “He’s a loving, caring father. He’s a good family man. He has the full support of his friends and family in this matter,” Duncan said. “The complainant had indicated to police she did not want him arrested. I’m confident that after a thorough investigation by the district attorney’s office, the charges will be dismissed.”
Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said he was surprised by the arrest.
Babylon Town board member Lindsay Henry on Oct. 1, 2013. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
“I’ve always found him to be very easygoing and respectful,” he said, noting he doesn’t often socialize with Henry. “But I don’t know about his personal relationships.”
Schaffer said claims of domestic abuse must be taken seriously.
“I’m confident the criminal justice system will swiftly and fairly adjudicate this case and I would hope that Lindsay would recognize the seriousness of these allegations and deal with them as quickly as possible,” Schaffer said.
Henry, who is not running for re-election in November, would face only disciplinary action if he were convicted, Schaffer said.
“It’s very upsetting to find out,” the town’s deputy supervisor, Tony Martinez, said of the charge.
Henry was arrested in July and charged with assaulting the same woman on a boat near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. But a spokeswoman for the Cape and Island district attorney’s office said prosecutors had to drop the case when the woman refused to cooperate.
