FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
ULSTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
DATE: JANUARY 18, 2019
SUBJECT: PRESS RELEASE – JOVAN A. WILKINS
On January 18, 2019, JOVAN A. WILKINS, age 26, a resident of Noxon Road, Lagrangeville, New York, was sentenced by Judge Donald A. Williams to eighteen years in state prison and five years post release supervision on his conviction to Assault in the first degree, a Class B violent felony. Wilkins’ conviction stemmed from his role in stabbing a man in the early morning hours of December 3, 2017 at a house party in the Town of Plattekill. The proof at trial revealed that defendant stabbed the unarmed, 26 year old victim, at least nine times, with seven of those wounds to the victim’s back.
At trial, Dr. Dennis-Roger Phillip, the victim’s emergency room physician, explained to the jury that many of the stab wounds could have been fatal. He described one stab wound as having punctured the victim’s lung, a second having lacerated his spleen and that the wounds to the victim’s abdomen in effect disemboweled him. Dr. Phillip indicated that when the victim arrived at the hospital, he was at the point of death, and that he would suffer long-term physical effects from the attack.
At the sentencing, prosecuting attorney Kathleen Klein read statements from the victim and the victim’s mother describing the emotional and physical impact of the significant injuries caused by the defendant. Also at sentencing Aaliyah Kemp, the victim’s fiancée, addressed the court and Mr. Wilkins. Ms. Kemp described the fateful near death call she received from the victim as he was being taken to the hospital and how he told her that he might not make it and that he loved her. “His voice became really faint and I said do not say good bye to me”.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Klein. Sr. Assistant District Attorney Clifford Owens co-chaired the prosecution with ADA Klein. Wilkins was represented by Assistant Public Defender Mikael Cohn.