Jury In Fatal Road Rage Stabbing Hands Down Verdict

WALLKILL, NY — An Orange County man was convicted of fatally stabbing a 74-year-old man after a road rage incident in October.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said Tuesday that Horace Duke, 23, of Wallkill, was convicted by a jury of first-degree manslaughter and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the death of Joel Laddy, 74, of Wallkill.

Duke was sent to the Orange County Jail after the verdict, to appear in court next on June 20.

He faces up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced, Hoovler said.

Prosecutors said at trial that Duke was involved in a motor vehicle accident October 20 with Laddy, which escalated into a verbal argument near exit 119 of Route 17 in the town of Wallkill.

During the argument, Duke stabbed the 74-year-old once in the chest with a kitchen knife, puncturing his heart and causing his death.

An investigation by the Town of Wallkill Police Department, the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s office resulted in Duke’s arrest.

The case was presented to an Orange County grand jury which charged Duke with manslaughter and illegal possession of a weapon.

Hoovler said the loss of life, in this case, was both senseless and preventable.

“Road rage is dangerous and can escalate into irreversible acts of violence,” he said. “The defendant was justly held accountable for turning a petty dispute into a violent tragedy.”