Wallkill man accused of hiring hit man to kill neighbor convicted of murder, conspiracy
GOSHEN - A Wallkill man accused of hiring a hit man to kill his neighbor was convicted of murder and conspiracy in Orange County Court on Thursday.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said a jury found Enoch Lowe, 25, of Wallkill guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy and tampering with physical evidence, all felonies.
He is being held without bail in the Orange County jail following the verdict. He faces the potential of life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced on July 18.
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As it was alleged during the trial, Lowe had a long-standing animosity with his next-door neighbor, Jeffrey T. Harris, 53. Prosecutors alleged that Lowe hired Damante T. Stansberry, 24, of Middletown, to kill Harris, promising him $15,000.
Prosecutors said Lowe acted as a lookout and informed Stansberry when Harris was alone, outside and vulnerable to attack.
Stansberry arrived at Harris' residence at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2022. He repeatedly stabbed Harris as he was repairing a fence in the backyard of the residence.
On March 30, 2023, Stansberry pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with Harris' death. Stansberry is currently awaiting sentencing.
Lowe was arrested and charged in connection with the case on Oct. 10, 2023, as a result of an investigation by the Town of Wallkill Police Department, with assistance from state police, the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center, the United States Secret Service and Hoovler's office.
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"Despite this defendant's best efforts to avoid responsibility for his heinous crimes, a jury of his peers has rightfully returned the only verdict consistent with the facts and law, that he is guilty," Hoovler said in a statement released by his office. "My condolences remain with the victim's family and friends, and I hope that this verdict can offer them a sense of closure."
Lowe's attorney, Jaime Santana Jr., could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Wallkill man found guilty of hiring hit man to kill neighbor
