DA to drop charge against Byrd

GOSHEN – A charge of endangering the welfare of a child is going to be dropped against Corey Byrd, the boyfriend of Christine Bookal, mother of Mark Bookal. He’s the four-year-old Newburgh boy who has been missing since December 14, 2009 and who was under the care of Byrd at the time of his disappearance.

An intense search for the child by Newburgh City and State Police turned up no clues as to the boy’s whereabouts.

But, Orange County District Attorney Frank Phillips Tuesday said he would seek to have the charge dropped against Byrne.

“Based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding this case it would appear that Mark Bookal may have been the victim of a kidnapping or a homicide,” said Phillips. Byrd remains a person of interest in Mark Bookal’s disappearance and under state law prosecution of Byrd for the misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child would preclude any possible future prosecution of Byrd for more serious charges resulting from the disappearance of the child.

Phillips said in addition to creating the double jeopardy issue, prosecution of Byrne in the City of Newburgh Criminal Court would require the DA’s office to provide the defense with information which would hamper the investigation into the disappearance of the young boy.

Newburgh Police Chief Eric Paolilli said the department “fully supports” the decision to drop the charge against Byrd.

“We will continue to actively investigate the disappearance of four-year-old Marc Bookal, and will aggressively pursue any new information or leads that are developed,” said the chief. “Corey Byrd was the last individual known to have seen Marc, and has thus far refused to cooperate in the investigation or speak with authorities regarding the young boy’s disappearance, he remains a person of interest in the investigation.”