Romaine McRae Convicted of Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Related Charges

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Romaine McRae, 40, of Brooklyn, was convicted after a jury trial in the Orange County Court of all charges against him, including the crimes of Murder in the Second Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree (two counts) and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.  McRae faces up to fifty (50) years to life in prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced on January 6, 2025.  McRae was remanded back to the Orange County Jail without bail following the jury’s verdict.

As argued in court at the trial, McRae and co-defendant Dwayne Hines perpetrated a brazen double shooting and execution that occurred on Lander Street in the City of Newburgh at approximately 8:30 am on Monday, April 24, 2023.  Two men at the location were shot, leaving one man dead and the other paralyzed.  The investigation was led by the City of Newburgh Police Department Detective Bureau who worked with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the New York Police Department (NYPD) 67, 69 and 71 Precincts, and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.  The defendants were taken into custody without incident on July 12, 2023 in Brooklyn by the City of Newburgh Detective Bureau working with Orange County District Attorney’s Office Investigators.  Hines previously pled guilty to Murder in the Second Degree and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and is pending sentence.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked all of the law enforcement agencies involved in the extensive investigation into these crimes.  In particular, the work of the City of Newburgh Police Department deserves extraordinary commendation.

“This hard-won conviction brings to a close a case of inconceivable brutality that shattered the lives of the victims and the peace of our community” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “The dogged investigation by the City of Newburgh Police Department and their dedicated Detective Bureau identified and brought to justice two men who reigned unspeakable violence on our streets.  My Office remains committed to the vigorous pursuit of violent criminals in order to protect and serve the citizens of Orange County.”

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Executive Assistant District Attorney Ryan Greenbaum and Assistant District Attorneys Emily Worden and Bryan Conway who prosecuted the case.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.