1. Incumbent DA Patrick Perfetti Secures Third Term
In the November 2024 general election, Patrick A. Perfetti (R) successfully defended his incumbency, defeating challenger Elizabeth McGrath and thereby securing a third four-year term as Cortland County District Attorney. Following canvass certification, he executed the official oath of office, reaffirming his prosecutorial mandate and continuity of office for the 2025–2028 term.
2. Addition of Associate ADA Maura MacNeill
Effective September 2024, DA Perfetti augmented his prosecutorial roster with the appointment of Associate Assistant District Attorney Maura MacNeill. A Homer native and recent admittee to the New York Bar (July 2024), ADA MacNeill was ceremonially sworn in and immediately commenced supervised casework. Her addition increases the office’s headcount to six Assistant DAs, enhancing capacity for pre-trial motions, grand jury presentations, and bench trials.
3. Conviction in Predatory Sexual Assault Case
On January 15, 2025, the office obtained a guilty verdict against Crystal J. Bruzee (also known as Kevin A. Bruzee) following a jury trial in Cortland County Supreme Court. Charges included:
- Predatory Sexual Assault in the First Degree (Penal Law § 130.96)
- Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree (Penal Law § 130.50(3))
- Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child (Penal Law § 130.75)
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Penal Law § 260.10)
Chief Assistant DA Jessica Weyant handled the case from indictment through verdict, delivering closing arguments emphasizing the statutory aggravators and the defendant’s breach of the victim’s trust. Sentencing is calendared for March 25, 2025, with the court authorized to impose a term ranging from ten years to twenty-five years to life imprisonment under New York’s determinate sentencing guidelines.
4. Office Structure and Ongoing Recruitment
The Cortland County DA’s Office structure as of June 2025:
- Patrick A. Perfetti, District Attorney
- Jessica Weyant, Chief Assistant District Attorney
- Assistant DAs: Van Donsel, Zallo, Raju, MacNeill
A March 2024 recruitment posting remains active, soliciting applications for additional Assistant ADAs to handle felony prosecutions, misdemeanor prosecutions, and juvenile delinquencies. Interested candidates must possess a New York State law license, demonstrate proficiency in legal research (Westlaw/Lexis), and exhibit familiarity with e-file procedures.
5. Bottom Line
- Most Recent Action: January 15, 2025 conviction in a high-profile sexual assault matter, advancing victim closure and public safety objectives.
- Leadership: Continuity under DA Perfetti for a third consecutive term, supported by an expanding team of experienced Assistant DAs.
- Capacity Building: Addition of ADA MacNeill and open recruitment underscore a strategic emphasis on prosecutorial bandwidth and specialization.
