On Sunday, October 2, Paul Kutz, 52, of East Northport, Suffolk County, was killed at the Courtyard in Poughkeepsie while visiting his youngest son at Marist College.
Roy Johnson Jr., convicted by a jury last year, was sentenced Monday, June 26 to 58 years to life in prison for murder and was convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, Dutchess County said. 15 years in prison. Chief Assistant District Attorney, Matthew A. Weishaupt.
“The blow that has taken the Coutts family is beyond our comprehension and change, but we hope this sentence will go some way to providing the family with the ability to move forward,” Weishaupt said.
Coutts, a father of three, was in the hotel lobby when Johnson, wearing an army green jacket, green boxer shorts and a black balaclava on his head and face, approached the front desk clerk and tried to get around. Court records show.
The clerk held out his arm to stop him. He then turned and walked to the table seating area near the front door, pulled out a Glock and shot Coutts, who was in the area at the time, the documents said.
Coutts was shot in the right armpit and right chest. The bullet hit the upper right lobe of his liver, part of both lungs and the aorta before breaking a rib before exiting his back, documents show.
Weishaupt added: “Because of the appalling facts of this case, as well as the immeasurable loss and trauma caused to the victim, my office recommends the maximum sentence allowed by law.”
Johnson still faces felony murder and robbery charges in the August 2022 murder of Darren J. Villani in Poughkeepsie.
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