Schenectady man pleads not guilty to killing former girlfriend

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Jamell Modest, center, was guarded heavily by Schenectady County sheriff's deputies while being placed into a waiting van for transport to the Schenectady County jail after his arraignment in December.

The man accused of killing a mother of four last month on State Street pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges Friday.

Jamell Modest appeared in Schenectady County Court under heavy security. A dozen court and corrections officers were present to prevent any repeat of Modest’s December City Court appearance, where the victim’s father rushed the defendant.

Emotions remained raw, however. Family and friends of slain Markia Harris wiped their eyes in the gallery as Modest was brought in. Harris’ father, Marcus, was not present for the proceedings.

Modest, who appeared defiant at his December court appearance, stood with his attorney as the proceedings went on. He looked down at the table, his arms shaking in his shackles. He wiped his face several times.

The indictment against Modest, 46, was unsealed earlier in the week in Schenectady County Court. He faces one count of second-degree murder in the Dec. 13 shooting death of his former girlfriend at the corner of State and Elder streets late that afternoon. He also faces several related charges.

He is accused of opening fire as he and Harris sat inside a vehicle there, police said. Their child, 9-month-old Jahi, was in the back seat at the time of the shooting. Modest was arrested within minutes.

Harris worked three jobs to support her four children, family members have said. She was also known as Markia Booth.

If convicted on the murder count, Modest would face up to 25 years to life in prison. Modest appeared in court with attorney Brian Mercy. However, in the future he will be represented by attorney Michael Mansion after conflicts in the case meant Mercy could not continue.

Mercy entered the formal “not guilty” plea. Dates for motions were set. Bail was not addressed, and Modest remains held without bail.

The case is being prosecuted by Christina Tremante-Pelham of the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office.

Much of the added court security for Friday’s appearance focused on the gallery. Three corrections officers stood at the rail facing the audience. Others stood in the aisle between the two sides.

County Court has a different configuration than City Court, where last month’s incident happened. In County Court, defendants are brought in from the rear via the walkway between the two sides of the gallery. They’re also led back out through the gallery.