Following an 11-day jury trial, Junando Dawkins, 30, of Newburgh, and his brother, Juwaugh Dawkins, 34, of Jacksonville, Florida, were convicted in Ulster County Court of Murder in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.
The verdict, announced on April 29, culminated a trial that commenced on April 15, 2024, presided over by the Judge Stephan Schick, visiting County Court Judge from Sullivan County. The prosecution presented over forty witnesses, predominantly law enforcement officials from the New York State Police, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, New York City Police Department and the Town of Saugerties Police Department, along with civilian testimonies. Expert witnesses tied the defendants’ cell phone locations to the crime scene, and State Police divers recovered portions of a Glock semi-automatic pistol from the Hudson River in January 2023, containing DNA evidence linking to Juwaugh Dawkins.Schick charged the jury on the morning of April 29, 2024, and after deliberating for nearly three hours, the jury returned with a guilty verdict on all charges for both defendants. Sentencing is slated for July 17, 2024, with potential penalties of up to 25 years to life in State Prison.
The case stemmed from a homicide investigation initiated by the New York State Police, Highland, into the death of Daniel Spotards, a 41-year-old father of two, whose body was discovered at the end of his driveway in the Town of Plattekill on January 2, 2023. The investigation revealed that Spotards was fatally shot multiple times at close range on January 1, 2023. Local residents aided law enforcement by reporting the discovery of discarded cell phones near the crime scene.
Junando Dawkins was apprehended at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in North Carolina in March 2023, while he was preparing to deploy overseas as a Sergeant in the United States Army. Juwaugh Dawkins contested extradition and was eventually brought back from Florida in June 2023.
Captain Joseph Kolek of the New York State Police praised the collaborative efforts of Troop F BCI Investigators and partners in the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, expressing hope that the convictions would provide some solace to the grieving loved ones of Daniel Spotards.
District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji lauded the jury’s verdict, describing it as a testament to their commitment to justice. He also commended the State Police for their relentless pursuit of evidence, highlighting their dedication in solving the murder despite challenges. Nneji expressed both gratitude for the verdict and sadness over the loss of life and subsequent imprisonment of the defendants.