Troy, NY –Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly announced today that, after a nearly fiveweek trial, a Rensselaer County jury convicted James White, 42, of 9 counts of Murder in the First Degree; 4counts of Murder in the Second Degree; and single counts of Burglary in the First Degree; Robbery in the First Degree; and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree. These charges stem from the December 21, 2017 slaying of Brandi Mells, 22; Shanta Myers, 36; and Myers’ two children – Jeremiah Myers, 11; and Shanise Myers, 5 in their Lansingburgh home.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented 27 witnesses, including White’s co-defendant, Justin Mann who previously pled guilty to four counts of Murder in the Second Degree in return for an agreed-upon sentence of 25 years-to-life on each of those counts. In addition, throughout the nearly five-week trial, the prosecution presented more than 600 exhibits.
“The deaths of these two adults and two children are an unspeakable act of violence,” said District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly. “As proven at trial, White, along with his accomplice Justin Mann, murdered four people in a heinous act of violence. After four years, this Rensselaer County jury has rightly held the defendant accountable for these horrific murders. I’d like to thank the members of that jury for their careful attention throughout the lengthy trial in this difficult case. I’d like to thank the Troy Police Department and the New York State Police who have continuously investigated and provided assistance since the victims were first discovered on December 26, 2017. Finally, I would also like to thank prosecutors, Chief Assistant District Attorney Matt Hauf and Executive Assistant District Attorney Cheryl McDermott who have worked tirelessly to obtain a measure of justice for the family in this devastating case.”
White will be sentenced on January 5, 2022 at 10 am before Hon. Debra J. Young in Rensselaer County Court.