Separate Murder Charge For 1 Man Accused In Marriott Shooting

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — One of the men accused of being involved in the fatal shooting at the Poughkeepsie Courtyard by Marriott in October was charged in connection with a separate murder.

Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady said Wednesday that Devin A. Taylor was charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, felonies, for the murder of Darren J. Villani, which occurred Aug. 9 in the city of Poughkeepsie.

Grady said, around 1:40 a.m. Aug. 9, Taylor shot and killed Villani with a handgun on Mansion Street near Bement Avenue in the city of Poughkeepsie.

The investigation, according to Robert Knapp, the bureau chief for the district attorney’s office, was a product of an ongoing City of Poughkeepsie Police Department investigation that developed additional evidence that was presented to a grand jury.

“The grand jury will continue its investigation into this incident to determine if any additional people were involved and should be charged,” he said.

In October, Taylor was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies, in the fatal shooting of Paul J. Kutz, 53, of East Northport, Suffolk County.

Police said Kutz was shot and killed by Roy A. Johnson Oct. 2 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Poughkeepsie.

Johnson was charged with second-degree murder, a felony, and weapons charges.

Taylor was sent to jail without bail in the Marriott case. A judge continued his remand in connection to the Villani shooting.

He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted on the latest charges.

SEE ALSO: 2 Men Indicted In Poughkeepsie Marriott Fatal Shooting