A Schenectady man has made a bold decision in the case of a 2022 murder on Hulett Street.
Anthony Romero, 25, appeared in Schenectady County Court Monday morning on a four-count indictment for the May 30, 2022, murder of Trevien Tate. Previously, he was arraigned in December 2022.
Acting Schenectady County Court Judge Mark J. Caruso is presiding over the case. Caruso said that if Romero did not accept the plea agreement and is convicted of second-degree murder, the sentence could range between 15 years to life and 25 years to life.
“I reject it [the plea offer], your honor,” Romero said to the judge Monday.
The Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office offered Romero the plea deal. Assistant District Attorney Mike Nobles is prosecuting the case.
Romero was given a four-count indictment in relation to the May 2022 shooting and murder of Bronx resident Trevien Tate, who turned 21 on the day of the incident.
Officers had been called to the area for a report of shots fired and a man on the ground. They arrived to learn that Tate had already been taken to Ellis Hospital by private vehicle, where he was pronounced dead.
Romero faces one count of second-degree murder a Class A-I felony, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, class C violent felonies, and one count of tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony.
“The offer was for the defendant to plead guilty to the count of one charge of murder in the second-degree in full satisfaction of the remaining counts in the indictment,” Nobles said.
Romero would have received an agreed-upon sentence of an indeterminate 20 years-to-life incarceration, for accepting the plea, Nobles said. If Romero accepted the plea agreement, he would have also waived his right to appeal it.
Attorney Kyle Davis is representing Romero.
Romero’s trial is scheduled for Feb. 13. He was indicted in December 2022 in relation to the May 30, 2022 shooting on Hulett Street, in Schenectady.
Romero was initially arrested in November 2022, and taken into custody by the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force in Albany without incident, police said at the time.
It is crucial for the justice system to ensure that all individuals involved in a case are given a fair trial and the opportunity to make their own decisions. The decision made by Anthony Romero to decline the plea deal will undoubtedly impact the upcoming trial and the potential outcome of the case.
Good grammar, agree: He should face the consequences of his actions and accept responsibility for the crime he committed.
Serves him right. No plea bargain for murder. Face the consequences.
Agree: He should face the consequences of his actions and not try to negotiate a lesser punishment.