Plea Deal For Rockland Man Accused Of Killing Man, Hiding Corpse

WEST NYACK, NY — Joseph Janulewic, 64, pleaded guilty to felony manslaughter in the death of Brian Romney, a resident of Greenwood Lake, in 2022.

A relative in West Nyack reported Romney missing to the Greenwood Lake Police Department June 10, 2022, saying the 56-year-old did not arrive at his relative’s home as expected on June 8 and had not been in communication with his family and friends since then.

Romney's vehicle was located on June 15, 2022, in West Nyack. Investigation by New York State police resulted in the execution of a search warrant the next day at 35 East St., where they found Romney's body concealed in a blue tarp.

Romney had been stabbed a dozen times, and the Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Upon pleading guilty, Janulewicz admitted that he stabbed Romney, including a fatal wound to his back. He admitted that he wrapped the corpse in a tarp and kept it in his residence until it was discovered by police.

The 64-year-old will be sentenced to 15 years in state prison with 5 years post-release supervision, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said. He was sent to the Rockland County Jail pending sentencing, which scheduled for Jan. 17.

"Today’s guilty plea and the securing of a lengthy prison term for the defendant holds him fully accountable for the heinous crime he committed. The defendant admitted that he intentionally stabbed the victim over a dozen times causing his death," Walsh said. "I commend the exceptional work of the New York State Police that investigated this case along with the Village of
Greenwood Lake Police Department."

The two felony charges Janulewicz initially faced were second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.

SEE: Grand Jury Indicts Rockland Man Accused Of Killing Man, Hiding Corpse