Assault trial to begin for Elmy

The trial of a Whitehall marina owner accused of drugging and injuring his wife is set to begin next Monday.

Robert A. Elmy will stand trial beginning on Monday, April 30.

He faces two counts of second-degree assault, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, and first degree coercion, all felonies.

Elmy, 63, is accused of beating his wife, Patria Elmy, to the point of unconsciousness, and then driving her to Glens Falls Hospital on Oct. 10 of last year.

The injuries were so severe that doctors placed in her a medically induced coma. She spent several days in the hospital but has since been released.

State police questioned Elmy at the hospital and he was taken into custody and transferred to the Whitehall Police Department where he was arrested.

Authorities have accused Elmy of putting Valium in his wife’s drinks before she was injured. It’s unclear how she suffered the injuries because she has little recollection of the incident.

Elmy, who was married to the victim’s mother before marrying the daughter more than three years ago, said his wife had been drinking and fell down, causing the injuries. He said he then took her to the hospital “to save her life.”

Elmy has operated the Champlain Harbor Marina for the last couple of years. The marina, which is set to open next week, is currently under the management of Michael Desci.

If convicted, Elmy could face up to seven years in prison on each assault count.