D.A. CZAJKA ANNOUNCES ARRAIGNMENT ON SEALED INDICTMENT
District Attorney Paul Czajka and Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore announced that on October 30, 2019, Honorable Jonathan D. Nichols arraigned Christian Simmons a/k/a Nahkye Tyler a/k/a Dondre Tyler, 24 of Bronx, New York, and Di-Quann Powell, 24 of Hudson, in Columbia County Court under a Sealed Indictment charging them both with Murder in the Second Degree, and Powell with Assault 1st , two (2) Counts, and Attempted Robbery 1st .
The crime was committed in the City of Hudson, at 3rd Street and Rope Alley, on August 22, 2017. Columbia County Coroner James Bertram pronounced the victim, Kevin Whitening, 31 of Hudson, dead after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. His mother, brothers, sisters, and child survive the incident.
The Hudson Police Department investigated this matter in conjunction with the New York State Police and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. District Attorney Czajka commended all, and, specifically, Detective Sergeant Jason Finn, Detective Nicolas Pierro, New York State Police Senior Investigators Eric Barnes, Kelly Taylor and Michael Castle for their tireless efforts in this extremely complex investigation.
The NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested the alleged Murderer (Christian Simmons) in New York City. Defendant Powell currently is incarcerated on unrelated charges, and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision produced him.
The DA stated that Sergeant Finn had not stopped working on this case since they met at the scene of the crime shortly after the shooting. ADA Ryan Carty prosecuted. The Mark Portin appeared on behalf of Simmons and John Leonardson appeared on behalf of Powell.
Christian Simmons a/k/a Nahkye Tyler a/k/a Dondre Tyler and Di-Quann Powell are presumed to be innocent unless and until the People prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to all twelve (12) of twelve (12) jurors.