Rockland grand jury declines to indict 21-year-old man in Stony Point fatal shooting

STONY POINT - A Rockland grand jury has declined to charge a 21-year-old Garnerville resident with murder in the September shooting of another man on Mott Farm Road during a domestic confrontation, authorities said.

Javier Medina Jr. spent three days in the county jail without bail after his arrest on the Stony Point police charge of second-degree murder. The grand jury returned the no-bill on Friday, the first day of the panel's month-long session.

Stony Point Police Chief Edward FInn said Friday that based on the department's investigation after the initial charge, grand jurors sitting in New City made the correct decision.

“Mr. Medina was charged at the time of the incident based on the information available at that time and the guidance of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office," Finn said.

Finn said detectives continued working the case after the arrest. He said the department worked with prosecutors to have Medina released pending grand jury.

"Following the incident, our detectives continued their investigation, conducting interviews, listening to witness accounts, analyzing evidence gathered, and establishing the circumstances leading up to the incident," Finn said. "Based on this thorough investigation, we believe that the grand jury determination not to indict was the proper decision.”

Medina was accused of shooting Jason Colwell, 47, in the chest at Medina's home on Sept. 17. Medina shot Colwell with a shotgun during a domestic dispute involving Colwell and one of Colwell's relatives, according to the felony complaint filed in Stony Point Town Court.

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Stony Point police officers found Colwell dead at the home around 11:35 p.m. that Saturday. Medina remained at the scene, where police said they found the gun.

Three witnesses to the incident provided statements to detectives, police said. Medina invoked his right to an attorney so police could not question him. Police said Medina did not provide any statements.

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The September shooting became the first of two homicides in 2022 in Stony Point, the county's most northern community. Rockland police investigated five homicides in 2022.

Grand jurors on Jan. 3 indicted Marilyn Mora, 26, with second-degree murder in the stabbing of her mother Doris Quispe, 60, at their Stony Point home along Willow Grove Road on Dec. 11.

Mora pleaded not guilty on Jan. 4 to murder and misdemeanor counts, such as criminal possession of a weapon, according to the New York State Unified Court System website. She is being held without bail in the county jail.

Mora is being held without bail in the Rockland County Jail. Her next County Court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 21 before Judge Larry Schwartz.

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.

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