D.A. CZAJKA ANNOUNCES ARRAIGNMENT ON SEALED INDICTMENT
District Attorney Paul Czajka and Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore announced that on October 9, 2019, Honorable Andrew Ceresia arraigned Christian Simmons a/k/a Nahkye Tyler a/k/a Dondre Tyler, 24 of Bronx, New York, in Columbia County Court under a Sealed Indictment charging him with Murder in the Second Degree.
The crime was committed in the City of Hudson on August 22, 2017. Columbia County Coroner James Bertram pronounced the victim, Kevin Whitening, 31 of Hudson, dead after suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. His mother, brothers, sisters, and child survive the decedent.
The Hudson Police Department investigated this matter in conjunction with the New York State Police and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. District Attorney Czajka commended all, and, specifically, Detective Sergeant Jason Finn, Detective Nicolas Pierro, New York State Police Senior Investigators Eric Barnes, Kelly Taylor and Michael Castle for their tireless efforts in this extremely complex investigation. The NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested the alleged Murderer in New York City. The DA stated that Sergeant Finn had not stopped working on this case since they met at the scene of the crime shortly after the shooting.
ADA Ryan Carty prosecuted. The Columbia County Public Defender appeared on behalf of the defendant.
Christian Simmons a/k/a Nahkye Tyler a/k/a Dondre Tyler is presumed to be innocent unless and until the People prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to all twelve (12) of twelve (12) jurors.