'Guilty': Raymond Snyder Convicted In 2020 Murder Of Romero Underwood

KINGSTON, NY — An infamous Hudson Valley murder case has ended with a guilty verdict.

The Ulster County District Attorney's Office announced that 41-year-old Raymond Snyder, of Kingston, was convicted last week of second degree murder and two counts of first degree burglary for the 2020 murder of Romero Underwood, also of Kingston. The verdict followed an eight-day jury trial before the Honorable James Farrell, visiting judge from Sullivan County. Snyder will be sentenced on January 10, when he will face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

"I thank the jury for their service and dedication to their oath in hearing this case," District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said. "A jury of three men and nine women spoke clearly and unequivocally this afternoon, individually and collectively, in vindication of justice. The unique challenges and unpleasant saga in the community about this case in Ulster County Court ended with the jury’s verdict today. I am sincerely grateful to the family of Romero Underwood and the people of this County for keeping the faith."

On July 11, 2020, at 5 a.m., Kingston police officers responded to reports of a shooting inside of a home on St. James Street. They found that 47-year-old Romero Underwood had been pistol-whipped and shot to death in the apartment he shared with his girlfriend. Authorities said the shooting appeared to have been motivated by drugs.

An investigation by the Kingston Police Department, in collaboration with the New York State Police Forensic Identification Unit, quickly led to the identification of suspects in the case. Snyder was arrested on January 20, 2021.

Authorities said a blood droplet on the wall inside of the residence was analyzed and matched Snyder's DNA profile, and that Snyder had never lived or visited there before. Additional DNA evidence also matched Snyder and placed him in the getaway car and the apartment where the two guns used in the crimes were found.

The trial consisted of civilian witnesses, Kingston Police Department detectives and officers, New York State Police investigators, as well as DNA and firearm experts from the State Police lab in Albany.