“It was a vicious, heinous, violent crime done by two people not old enough to drink alcohol.”
So said State Police Troop G Commander Major Richard O’Brien when reporting the arrests of two people charged with killing Connor Delaney, 21, in Warnerville on January 29.
State Police charged Devon Hunter, 18, of Colonie with second-degree murder, a Class A felony.
Troopers also arrested a 17-year-old male and charged him with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. State Police withheld his name because of his age.
Speaking at a press conference at Schoharie County District Attorney Susan Mallery’s office on Monday, Major O’Brien said the two teens traveled to Mr. Delaney’s home on Hite Road and shot him and his dog, Bo.
Troopers arrived shortly after 11pm and found Mr. Delaney dead of gunshot wounds. The dog was also dead.
The crime was “drug-related and a targeted event,” Major O’Brien said.
Asked about the robbery charge on the 17-year-old, Major O’Brien said items of little value were taken.
The 17-year-old turned himself in to Cobleskill State Police March 15 and later posted $200,000 bond bail.
Arrested at his home later, Mr. Hunter is being held in the Schoharie County Jail without bail.
Beyond that, Major O’Brien could give few details because, he said, the investigation is ongoing.
Major O’Brien couldn’t give a motive for the homicide. Also, because both teens are charged with second-degree murder, he couldn’t say who pulled the trigger or identify the gun.
There was also no description of the sequence of events or an explanation about why the investigation is continuing.
Ms. Mallery said she’s filed a motion to have the 17-year-old tried as an adult.
Monday’s press conference lasted less than 15 minutes. Waiting outside the Public Safety Facility in Howes Cave were about 20 friends of Mr. Delaney.
They held signs calling for justice, especially that the 17-year-old be tried as an adult.
“It was malicious and planned,” said Brandi Foster, a friend. “Connor did not deserve that.”
“We want to make sure they get the maximum sentence,” another woman said.
Others in the crowd agreed, and several said there were more people involved with the crime.
Mr. Delaney’s brother, Eoin Delaney, was also present and said he’s received threats.
“I’m sorry they know where I live,” he said.
Connor Delaney was a 2019 graduate of Middleburgh Central School.