KINGSTON – An Ulster County jury has convicted a 39-year-old Saugerties man who killed a senior citizen in 2022 and tried to conceal the crime. The verdict on Friday follows the two-week trial of Joseph Karolys on manslaughter and assault charges for the violent death of 66-year-old David “Mickey” Myer following a Halloween party on October 29, 2022.
Karolys, also a Saugerties resident, was convicted of manslaughter, assault, and tampering with physical evidence after the trial before Ulster County Court Judge Bryan Rounds. The manslaughter and assault convictions carry a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, Joseph Karolys, David “Mickey” Myer, and Michael Cummins were driven home by Joseph Karolys, Jr., following a Halloween party at a Greene County bar on October 29, 2022.
Myer’s beaten body was found the next day on the side of Route 32 in Saugerties.
The ensuing investigation of the homicide was conducted by the Saugerties Police Department with assistance from the New York State Police.
The prosecutors in the case established that Karolys had kicked Mickey Myer in the head and taken steps to conceal the crime, including burning the boot used for the killing in his wood stove. Karolys and Cummins then spent several days moving around the Lake George area, before Cummins turned himself into law enforcement officials to cover for the defendant.
Eventually, Cummins cooperated with the prosecution and revealed information previously unknown in the case. Mickey Myer’s blood was found in the Karolys truck and in the Karolys home, as well as on the floor mats at their home that also contained Myer’s DNA.
Saugerties Police Department Chief Robert Nuzzo said, “This verdict is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and once again demonstrates the great cooperation between the law enforcement agencies involved. Hopefully, it brings some comfort to the family of David “Mickey” Myer.”
“There is no more serious crime than that which involves the taking of another person’s life,” said Ulster County DA Manny Nneji following the verdict. “The crime scene photo of Mickey Myer’s lifeless body on the side of Route 32, as though he was roadkill, and that his life was disposable, has stayed with me since I first saw it. Today’s verdict speaks to Mickey Myer’s family and loved ones in Saugerties and surrounding areas. Joseph Karolys has found out today that no human being is disposable or expendable.”
Sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2024.
