Brown
Speights
TOWN OF WALLKILL – Juantae Brown, the 20-year-old Spring Valley
man charged with the murder of Justin Speights at a New Year’s party
in the Town of Crawford on January 1, 2016, could face up to life in prison
if convicted.
He was arrested after an almost year-long investigation into the stabbing
death of Speights, a Scotchtown resident and four-year volunteer fireman
with the Silver Lake Fire Department.
When details of Brown’s arrest were announced at a Friday news conference
at State Police Troop F headquarters, the room was filled with volunteer
firemen and women and their families as well as friends of the victim.
Jeff Jacques is a spokesman for the Silver Lake Fire Department.
“Our department is very happy to hear of the arrest, however we
do realize this is the first step in bringing justice for Justin,”
he said.
Troop F Commander Major Joseph Tripodo said the investigation involved
following hundreds of potential leads, interviewing more than 250 people,
and securing and forensically examining evidence including some 40 video
devices.
Most of those attending the party who were interviewed were cooperative,
Tripodo said.
“The party was obviously attended by close to 200 people. Throughout
the course of the party there were reported skirmishes here and there
within that party. During the course of that party it was reported that
Justin was breaking up a fight and subsequently was stabbed,” Tripodo
said.
Brown, who is a student at SUNY Delhi, was picked up and arrested at the
college on Thursday. He was brought back to Orange County and charged
with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. The major declined to
describe the knife that he said was used to stab Speights several times,
resulting in his arrest.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said members of law enforcement
who investigated the case are “second to none” putting in
thousands of hours, tracking down leads.
Brown, who is being held without bail in the Orange County Jail, will
be back in Town of Crawford Court next week. Once the case is turned over
to county jurisdiction, it will go before a grand jury and if indicted,
Brown would face a trial.
State Police were assisted by police from the Town of Crawford, State
University at Delhi, Village of Spring Valley, Town of Ramapo, Westwood,
New Jersey and the Broward County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office. They
were also assisted by Silver Lake, Pine Bush, Bullville and Circleville
fire departments.
A $20,000 reward had been offered by the Silver Lake Fire Department leading
to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
