Troy, NY -- Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly announced today that, after a nearly two week trial, a Rensselaer County jury found Jahquay Brown, 22, of Cohoes, not-guilty of one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A-1 Felony in violation of Section 125.25 (2), and Guilty of Manslaughter in the 2nd degree, a Class C Felony in violation of Section 125.15 (3) of the Penal Law of the state of New York. These charges stemmed from the September 13, 2020 death of eleven year old Ayshawn Davis of Lansingburgh.
District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly confirmed that according to the evidence Brown had been charged after members of the Troy Police Department found the weapon used to shoot Davis in the bedroom of the home of Brown.
The Troy Police investigated the case, and Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf prosecuted.
“The devastating loss of Ayshawn Davis has affected many people in the Troy Community,” said Troy Police Chief Dan DeWolf. “The Troy Police Department has also felt this loss. Ayshawn was a wonderful young man that had so much to share until that fateful night when he was tragically taken from all of us. I am grateful for all those that helped bring this case to a close with the conviction of Ayshawn’s killer. I wish to acknowledge the efforts of The Troy Detectives and patrol officers that were aided by the State Police, the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center as well as the Rensselaer County DA’s Office for their tireless work on this case.”
“The tragic death of Ayshawn Davis was a devastating loss for the Troy community and a reminder of the horrific impact gun violence has on local communities and young lives,” said Troy Mayor Patrick Madden. “On behalf of the entire City of Troy, I extend our sincerest condolences to Ayshawn’s families who have endured unimaginable heartache throughout this process. We hope today’s guilty verdict will bring a small measure of comfort to Ayshawn’s family, friends and those who knew & loved him.”
“I acknowledge the work of Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, Assistant DA Matt Hauf and their team who tirelessly pursued justice for Ayshawn, and extend my appreciation to Troy Police detectives, patrol officers, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany office, members of the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit and the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center who assisted in the investigation of this case.”
Brown will be sentenced on August 31, 2022 at 9 am before Hon. Jennifer Sober in Rensselaer County Court and faces a maximum sentence of 5-15 years in prison.
