Nassau Men Get Max Sentence For Shooting Man To Death

Two men were given the maximum possible sentence on Tuesday for shooting a man to death on a Nassau street in 2o16.

Joshua Taylor, 25, of Hempstead, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Jorge Burgess, 25, of Uniondale, will be facing up to 30 years. On May 10, Taylor was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Burgess was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

“This sentence ensures that the defendants responsible for the senseless murder of Jude St. Clair will pay a heavy price for their horrific crime,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones as they continue to mourn the tragic loss of this young man.”

On Aug. 21, 2016, around 10 a.m., Burgess lured 32-year-old Jude St. Clair down a street of Nassau Road in Uniondale. When he got there, Burgess and and Taylor shot at St. Clair eight times, hitting him three times: once in his upper chest, once in his left shoulder and one grazing his buttocks. The two were seeking revenge for a fight that had occurred earlier in the morning between St. Clair and Taylor's cousin.

St. Clair died of his wounds.

Burgess and Taylor both fled the scene. Burgess was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department on Aug. 30. Taylor was staying with his cousin in Connecticut, where he was arrested on Sept. 10, and then extradited back to Nassau County.

Photo: Joshua Taylor, left, and Jorge Burgess. Courtesy Nassau County District Attorney's Office.