Long Island Man Faces Murder Charge In Domestic Partner's Fatal Beating: DA

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Long Island man has been indicted for second-degree murder in connection with the fatal beating of his domestic partner, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Thursday.

Duntrell Thomas, 30, of Mastic Beach beat 41-year-old Cheray Jenkins "so severely" that it caused her death, and if convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life, prosecutors said.

Tierney said the indictment alleges Thomas "committed a brutal and deliberate act of violence against the victim, his domestic partner."

"Domestic violence cases represent some of the most disturbing crimes we prosecute. Our office is committed to seeking justice for the victim and her family through the legal process and holding those who commit such violent acts fully accountable," he added.

Thomas' attorney, Keith O’Halloran of Westhampton Beach, told Patch that he had just been assigned to the case and hadn't the chance to review the discovery, therefore he is not in a position to comment at this time.

On Feb. 12, at around 6:20 p.m., Thomas "flew into a jealous rage," accusing Jenkins of having romantic ties with a man who lived in the Mastic Beach home where he and the victim were also temporarily living, according to prosecutors.

On the day of the attack, Thomas banged on the front door of the home, and when the other man opened the door, Thomas went inside the house and saw Jenkins lying on the couch, prosecutors said, adding that Thomas accused the man and Jenkins of being together and threatened to shoot him.

Thomas then began to violently punch Jenkins in the face and head while she lay on the couch as she pleaded with him to stop, but then he pulled Jenkins off the couch, causing her to land on the hardwood floor, and once there, continued to punch her in the face before stomping on her face with his foot, according to prosecutors.

The man called 911, and when Suffolk police responded, they found Jenkins unresponsive and unconscious, lying in what appeared to be her blood, and Thomas was arrested at the scene, prosecutors said.

During processing at the 7th Precinct in Shirley, Thomas allegedly became combative with police officers and spat on one of them, according to prosecutors.

Jenkins was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue where she was diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage and received an emergency decompressive craniectomy, but she never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on Valentine's Day, prosecutors said.

Jenkins' organs were harvested for donation the next day at a hospital in New York City.

Her daughter, Jakara Canty, 19, told Patch that she was a nurses aid who cared for the elderly and disabled.

She described her as a very lively person who had a big heart, and was happy-spirited.

"She tried to help others the best way that she could do," Canty said. "She had ups and downs, but that's anybody."

If Jenkins saw anyone down, she "helped you the best way that she could, even though she'd be down herself. "

Thomas has been additionally charged with second-degree harassment, according to prosecutors.

The judge ordered him remanded without bail during the pendency of the case.

He is due back in court on March 20.

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