Verdict reached in 2024 homicide case against Latham man
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - A verdict has been reached in the homicide case against Ulias Kornegay, 35, of Latham, after closing statements were made to the jury. The jury found Kornegay guilty of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Kornegay is convicted in the death of 36-year-old Kwon Lillard on May 24, 2024.
According to authorities, Lillard was shot 9 times in the parking lot of Ciro’s Place, a nightclub on Broadway, in Albany last year.
The trial lasted two days. Both the defense and the prosecution addressed the jury in closing arguments. The defense claimed Kornegay fired a firearm at Lillard in an act of self-defense.
However, the prosecution claimed Kornegay approached Lillard carrying a firearm illegally with the intention to kill him.
Following the final arguments, Albany County Court Judge Andrea Ackerman informed the jury of their responsibilities, and they deliberated for about an hour and a half before coming to a conclusion. Lillard's mother, Leajay Martin, said she feels justice is served and is happy her son can rest peacefully.
"I'm hurt," Martin said. "I'm hurt. I'm dealing with this. I cry every day since this happened. So, I have no happy days. He should not have been the person to kill my son. My son should not have been killed, period. Especially by somebody he didn't even have beef with. From what I've seen, he was trying to resolve it."