Pine Plains man charged with murder
By WHITNEY JOSEPH - Editor
June, 25, 2009
PINE PLAINS — The town is reeling from the news that a resident has been arrested for the murder and attempted murder of a Catskill couple last Wednesday, June 17.
The suspect, Robert N. Wilkinson, 23, whose home is on Route 199 in Pine Plains, has been charged with murder in the second degree, criminal use of a firearm in the first degree, assault in the first degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree.
He was arraigned in the Town of Catskill Court before Town Justice Robert Carl, and remanded without bail to Greene County Jail.
Pine Plains Town Supervisor Gregg Pulver, who said he doesn’t know Wilkinson personally, does know the family.
“They’re really a lovely family in town,” he said. “Obviously this was a tragedy on a lot of levels. Somebody lost their life and another man stands accused of murder. It’s a tough thing, and until we know the facts it’s tough to understand.”
The facts are slowly being pieced together. According to New York State Police Troop F in the Catskills, Wilkinson drove to 59 Pennsylvania Ave., in Palenville, early on Wednesday morning.
According to a press release from the police, “Greene County 911 was contacted by Taryn Haid who reported that Wilkinson confronted her husband Lucian Haid and herself in the driveway of their residence on Pennsylvania Avenue with a rifle after having a dispute earlier in the night.”
The couple was hit with multiple rounds fired by Wilkinson, according to the report. The alleged gunman then fled the scene. That’s when Taryn Haid dialed 911. Lucian Haid was pronounced dead at the scene; Taryn Haid was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for her injuries.
When officers arrived she was able to give a description of the shooter and a 2008 Nissan he was driving. The chase left Dutchess County and moved across the Hudson River into Ulster County. Deputy Frank Gillespie of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office witnessed that vehicle traveling southbound on State Route 32 in the town of Ulster and tried to pull it over. Wilkinson did not obey the order and a pursuit ensued southbound on State Route 9W through the city of Kingston and the town of Esopus.
According to the press release, “Wilkinson lost control of his vehicle and struck a rock wall in the vicinity of Black Creek Road in the town of Esopus.
“Wilkinson was ultimately taken into custody and admitted his role in the shooting after being interviewed.”
Although no motive for the crime has been discovered, the state police did confirm that Wilkinson lived in the Catskill area previously, nearby the two victims. Additionally, the Haids have previously lived in Dutchess County; Taryn Haid herself is actually from Pine Plains (her maiden name is Demchuck, according to Pulver).
“Our sympathies go out to everybody involved,” Pulver said. “It’s all a shame. I know both families and I can’t even imagine what they’re all going through.”
While authorities have said that no motive has been determined as of yet, there have been reports published stating drugs were found at the Haid’s home. Investigators reportedly confiscated marijuana plants and grow lights at the residence.
The next step is for the district attorney’s office to present the case to the grand jury; that was expected to happen sometime this week, after this paper went to press.
The New York State Police were assisted by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Kingston Police, the Ulster Police, The Town of Saugerties Police, the Town of Lloyd Police, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Greene County District Attorney’s Office and the Village of Catskill Police.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to please contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Catskill at 518-622-8600.
© Copyright 2009 by TCExtra.com
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