KINGSTON, NY—On October 24, 2024, Raymond Snyder, age 41, of Kingston, was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Burglary in the First Degree for the murder of another Kingston man, Romero Underwood. The verdict follows eight-day jury trial before the Honorable James Farrell, visiting Judge from Sullivan County. Sentencing is scheduled for January 10, 2025, at which time Snyder faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
On July 11, 2020, at around 5:00 a.m., officers of the Kingston Police Department responded to reports of a shooting inside of a residence on St. James Street. 47-year-old Romero Underwood was pistol-whipped and shot to death in his apartment which he shared with his girlfriend. The shooting appeared to be motivated by drugs.
Prompt and intensive investigation undertaken by the Kingston Police Department, in collaboration with local investigators from the State Police and its Forensic Identification Unit quickly identified channels and evidence leading to suspects in the case. Despite the manpower issues caused by Covid-19, the investigation persevered and resulted in the arrest of Raymond Snyder on January 20, 2021. A blood droplet on the wall inside of the residence was analyzed and matched Raymond Snyder's DNA profile—Snyder had never lived or visited there. Additional DNA evidence from key locations involved in the murder matched Snyder and also placed him in the getaway car and the apartment where the two guns used in the commission of the crimes were found.
Trial in this matter began on October 15, 2024, and consisted of civilian witnesses, Kingston Police Department detectives and officers, and New York State Police Investigators, as well as DNA and Firearm experts from the State Police Lab in Albany.
District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said, “I thank the jury for their service and dedication to their oath in hearing this case. A jury of three men and nine women spoke clearly and unequivocally this afternoon, individually and collectively, in vindication of justice. The unique challenges and unpleasant saga in the community about this case in Ulster County Court ended with the jury’s verdict today. I am sincerely grateful to the family of Romero Underwood and the people of this County for keeping the faith.”
The trial was prosecuted by District Attorney Nneji and Senior ADA Luba Reznikova. Raymond Snyder was represented by Bradford White and Beth Gibson of the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office.
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