FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: OCTOBER 28, 2015
RE: PRESS RELEASE – TAQUAN WEBB
________________________________________________________________
POUGHKEEPSIE MAN ACQUITTED BY AN ULSTER COUNTY JURY
In a trial of the shooting at Murphy’s, a New Paltz Restaurant & Pub on April 20, 2014, the Ulster County jury acquitted Taquan Webb of his charges for murder and assault following 1½ days of deliberations.
The case stemmed from the Easter shooting of Ryan Gray of Poughkeepsie in Murphy’s by confessed murdered Basheem Bennett. Following his plea of guilty to Murder and Assault Bennett entered into an agreement to testify against Webb for the promise of a reduced sentence.
Basheem Bennett’s cooperation and testimony was instrumental in the indictment and prosecution of Taquan Webb for his role in the death of Ryan Gray and serious injury to Samantha David.
Had he testified, Bennett was expected to point to Webb as the individual behind the plan to kill Gray and that Webb had procured the murder weapon from “the bricks”, (Smith Street projects) in Poughkeepsie and that, following Gray’s execution Webb disposed of the murder weapon.
Bennett’s anticipated testimony, supported by cell phone tower records would have showed that Webb accompanied Bennett to Murphy’s from Poughkeepsie just before the shooting and was with Bennett as they fled back to Poughkeepsie following the murder. One witness, an associate of both Webb and Bennett, testified that Webb entered Murphy’s Bar with Bennett stating “we’re going to put holes in that nigg….”
During the trial, both through counsel and on the stand outside the presence of the jury, Bennett invoked his right to remain silent and answered that he would refuse to answer any questions regarding the crime. He indicated that he knew he would not be permitted to withdraw his previously entered plea of guilty, and he persisted in his refusal to testify as he had agreed to do at the time of his plea last November. Under NYS Rules of Criminal Procedure, Bennett’s out of court sworn statements cannot be introduced into evidence.
Webb, also, did not testify at the trial nor did he call any witnesses. His attorney argued to the jury that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Webb had the knowledge and intent that Gray would be executed.
“It sometimes happens, as was the case here, that relevant, important, information cannot be presented to the jury and the jury is asked to make a very difficult decision without all of the proof that is available. I respect the jury’s decision, and my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this crime who, understandably, feel that justice was not well served today”, stated Ulster County DA Holley Carnright.
