Jeffrey A. McGough was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison in Schoharie County Court Friday for the shooting death of Connor Delaney in January 2022.
Judge Peter A. Lynch also sentenced McGough to five years’ post-release supervision on charges of first-degree manslaughter and first-degree robbery. He was also convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.
After hearing arguments from District Attorney Susan Mallery, Judge Lynch denied youthful offender status for McGough, who was 18 at the time of the shooting and is 20 now.
Had he received youthful offender status, McGough would have received a lesser sentence.
McGough is accused of shooting Mr. Delaney’s dog, Bo, and then giving the gun to his co-defendant, Devon Hunter, and telling him to shoot Mr. Delaney, 21 at the time.
McGough is also accused of stealing property from Mr. Delaney.
The tragedy happened at Mr. Delaney’s home in Warnerville.
At the time, State Police called the incident “a vicious, heinous, violent crime.”
Ms. Mallery said Mr. Delaney’s father, Joe Delaney, gave a powerful victim impact statement at the sentencing.
“He described his sorrow for the defendant and the choices he made,” Ms. Mallery said. “And he discussed Connor. . .only 21, and he was providing life insurance for his siblings.
“It was very moving.”
Sentencing for Hunter and another defendant who was 17 at the time of the shooting will be in a few weeks, Ms. Mallery said.