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New City Couple Sentenced To State Prison For Murder Of Grandfather

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4 months ago

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Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today the sentencing of Constantinos Doonan, a/k/a “Dino” (DOB 7/17/92) of New City, New York on a charge of Murder in the Second Degree (class “A” Felony), and Jo-Ann Haughey (DOB 1/15/96) of New City, New York on a charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “B” Felony), in the killing of Constantinos Mastakouris. Constantinos Doonan, a/k/a “Dino” is the grandson of the deceased Constantinos Mastakouris.
In the County of Rockland, on or about and between January 29 –30, 2023, acting individually and in concert with each other, the defendants brutally caused the death of Constantinos Mastakouirs of 45 Ruth Drive, New City, New York.
Mr. Mastakouris was strangled and choked to death; after he was killed, the defendants wrapped his body in a tablecloth, kiddie pool, and shower curtain and then placed the body in a crawl space in the basement of 45 Ruth Drive, New City, New York. After they placed the body in the crawl space, the defendants stole Mr. Mastakouris’ belongings, including but not limited to his car, jewelry, and credit card.
District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “Today, the defendants in this case were held responsible for their heinous crimes that resulted in the senseless murder of an 85-year-old man, who was the grandfather of one of the defendants. The killing of one’s grandfather is evil and an unimaginable act. The actions of the defendants have left their family completely shattered by this horrific act. The defendants are being held fully accountable for their crimes and will serve lengthy prison terms. I commend the investigation by the Clarkstown Police Department and prosecution by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino and Supervising Assistant District Attorney Sharleen Bailon.”
Doonan and Haughey were sentenced on December 3, 2024. Doonan was sentenced to twenty (20) years to life in state prison on the second-degree murder conviction. Haughey was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in prison on the manslaughter in the first-degree conviction.
The investigation was conducted by the Clarkstown Police Department. Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino and Supervising Assistant District Attorney Sharleen Bailon prosecuted the case.

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Crime

Haverstraw Police Arrest Suspect in Connection with Residential Burglary

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2 days ago

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April 1, 2025

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On March 31, 2025, the Haverstraw Police Department located and arrested Carlos Sepulveda, 43, of West Haverstraw, New York, in connection with a residential burglary that recently occurred. Mr. Sepulveda was identified as the suspect depicted in a circulated image related to the incident.
The arrest stemmed from an investigation into a reported incident where a suspect allegedly entered a residence and stole a package.
Mr. Sepulveda has been charged with the following:
Burglary 2nd Degree (Class C Felony)
Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree (Class B Misdemeanor)
Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor)
Following his arrest, Mr. Sepulveda was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court. He was subsequently remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

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Crime

Rockland County Court Rejects Convicted Murderer’s Eighth Attempt To Vacate Conviction

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1 week ago

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March 27, 2025

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Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II, announced today that, in a decision issued on March 25, 2025, Rockland County Court Judge Kevin F. Russo rejected the latest attempt by convicted murderer Amer Zada to have his conviction vacated. The court noted that this motion is the eighth time Zada has sought to reverse or vacate his conviction.
In 1980, Zada was convicted of the murder of seventeen-year-old Shirley Smith in a Village of Nyack parking lot. He was also convicted of Attempted Sodomy in the First Degree and Aggravated Sexual Abuse as a result of his attack on Ms. Smith. At his trial, Zada was represented by William Kunstler, a world-renowned defense attorney who had gained notoriety for successfully defending many high profile and controversial clients.
In its decision, the court described the defendant’s current motion as being largely based on Zada’s claim that certain documents were not turned over to him prior to trial.
“The court found that Zada had failed to adequately establish this speculative claim as he provided no direct evidence that he had never received the documents. I would like to commend Executive Assistant District Attorney James Dolan for his dedication and professionalism representing the Office in this proceeding.” said District Attorney Tom Walsh.
The court also found that, even assuming that the documents had not been turned over, they were of little importance in the case against Zada and none of them were exculpatory within the meaning of the law. In addition, the court found that Zada’s motion to vacate his conviction raised only minor inconsistencies in the case against him, most of which were thoroughly explored by Mr. Kunstler during the trial. In conclusion, the court found that Zada had not offered anything to justify vacating his conviction.

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