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Dec. 19, 2012 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that Reginald Powell (DOB 03/12/56) of 392 North Street, White Plains, New York, was convicted after a jury trial of eight counts in the indictment that charged him with:

  • one count of Murder in the First Degree, a class "A-1" Felony,
  • one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class "B" Felony,
  • one count of Burglary in the Second Degree, a class "C" Felony,
  • two counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, class "D" Felonies,
  • two counts of Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, class "D" Felonies,
  • one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a class "A" Misdemeanor,

relating to death of Jennifer Katz in December 2010.

On Dec. 30, 2010 about 9:20 p.m. the defendant was stopped for making an illegal left hand turn in Central Harlem by an NYPD officer. The defendant exited the car, ran and was arrested after a brief foot pursuit. At the time, the defendant was driving the victim's SUV and was in possession of four rings that belonged to the victim. The police also found narcotics on his person and in the vehicle.

At the precinct, the defendant made reference to a body in a home in the Village of Mamaroneck. The NYPD contacted the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department. Shortly thereafter, Jennifer Katz' body was discovered.

Detectives McNally and Carroll from the Mamaroneck Village police department responded to the precinct in Manhattan at which point a comprehensive investigation commenced.

On June 16, 2011, a Westchester County grand jury handed up an indictment against the defendant.

"This defendant brutally and viciously murdered a mother of two young women, placed her body in a closet then stole her jewelry and her car. His explanations of his whereabouts at the time of the murder were riddled with lies and inconsistencies. His protestations of innocence were belied by simple facts and forensics. His total lack of remorse, exemplified by his actions after the killing, was clearly evident, all of which lead to his being convicted," said District Attorney Janet DiFiore after the jury's verdict.

Sentencing will be on Feb. 28, 2013.

The defendant faces life in state prison without parole.

Assistant District Attorney Michelle Lopez, Deputy Chief of the Sex Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Timothy Ward, Chief of Career Criminal Bureau prosecuted the case.

 

Reginald Powell

Reginald Powell

 

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.