By Richard J. Bayne
The Times Herald-Record
CRAWFORD, N.Y. — Writing about Wednesday’s guilty plea in the death of Silver Lake volunteer firefighter Justin Speights, Joe Morstatt, the Silver Lake fire chief, described how Speights’ slaying had department members facing “one of the most tragic events in our department’s history” and Morstatt questioned whether the killer’s punishment will fit the crime.
In his letter, which went out to the community Thursday, Morstatt said he and fire department members felt the “punishment that was agreed upon didn’t come close to fitting the crime that was committed.”
Speights, 20, beloved in the community, had been a Silver Lake volunteer firefighter for four years when he was stabbed to death at a New Year’s Eve Party on Jan. 1, 2016, in the Town of Crawford. On Wednesday, Jauntae Brown, 20, of Spring Valley, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a promised 5-to-15-year prison sentence.
In his letter, Morstatt wrote, “I believe that since this individual took the life of an innocent young man, he should be sentenced to life in jail.”
Still, Morstatt praised Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and his assistants, who “gathered up all of the facts about the case and came out with the best outcome.”
For months after Speights’ slaying, authorities had a difficult time getting witnesses to come forward. Morstatt mentioned that in his letter saying, “The failed cooperation of several individuals at the party, aided by political officials in the Pine Bush and Town of Crawford community, made the job of the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office extremely difficult.”
Saying he was “extremely thankful” for help that came from the Walllkill community, Morstatt said, “Individuals and businesses alike from the community were a constant comfort to both the Silver Lake Fire District and the Speights family.”
Writing that the fire service is “one big family,” Morstatt thanked neighboring fire companies for their support. He noted that a grid search by firefighters discovered the knife that was used to kill Speights.
Closing out his letter, Morstatt wrote, “Although nothing we do or say can bring Justin back, we must pick up the broken pieces and move forward.”
“Each day as we roll out the door to protect life and property for the citizens and taxpayers of the Silver Lake Fire District, we rest easy knowing Justin is watching over us with guidance and protection,” Morstatt wrote in his closing sentence.
Copyright 2017 The Times Herald-Record