Men plead not guilty in Newburgh 'brazen, daytime assassination'

Prosecutors called the attack a “brazen, daytime assassination,” and say both men worked together in a pre-planned attack that proved fatal for one of their alleged victims.

Blaise Gomez

Jul 17, 2023, 9:43 PM

Updated 451 days ago

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Two Brooklyn men accused of gunning down two maintenance workers in Newburgh last April and killing one of them pleaded not guilty at their arraignments in Orange County Court on Monday.
Prosecutors called the attack a “brazen, daytime assassination,” and say both men worked together in a pre-planned attack that proved fatal for one of their alleged victims.
News 12’s camera was rolling as Romaine McCrae and Dwayne Hines, both 39, were escorted into court in Goshen in handcuffs and shackles.
During court, prosecutors said the men used cell phones to coordinate their attack and walked together to case and stalk their victims before gunning them down.
Shane Lawrence, 41, was shot multiple times and died as a result. Richard Herring, 50, was paralyzed from the waist down.
News 12 spoke to Hines' attorney who said his client is not guilty.
“The story makes no sense. Mr. Hines’ is completely anomalous for his life. The allegations come out of the blue. We look forward to reviewing the discovery in the case and analyzing it, and I would ask anyone that hears the allegations to not rush into judgment," said Michael Alber.
Both victims were maintenance workers for RUPCO who just started their workday when they were gunned down.
Prosecutors did not reveal what the motive was, and said defendants had no ties to Newburgh up until a few days before the shootings.
Both Hines and McRae pleaded not guilty and are being held in Orange County Jail without bail.
A temporary restraining order was granted on behalf of the surviving victim.