City police have arrested a second man in connection with the November killing of Charles Dembrosky.
Police also confirmed what they believe is motive for the crime: A Dembrosky life insurance policy.
Tarchand K. Lall, 52, of Schenectady, was charged Friday with first-degree murder. He accused of hiring Joevany Luna, of Wilmington, Del., to kill Dembrosky, according to court documents and prosecutors.
Luna, who has a long criminal history, also faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with Dembrosky’s death.
The allegations that Lall contracted to have Dembrosky killed elevates the charges to first-degree murder. If convicted, the men would face up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Dembrosky, 49, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head on Nov. 19 outside his 2436 Campbell Ave. apartment. He was self-employed and had one son, according to his obituary.
Investigators believe Dembrosky also worked for Lall, Schenectady Police Chief Eric Clifford said. Dembrosky had a life insurance policy where Lall was the beneficiary, Clifford said.
Clifford did not offer further details, including the amount of the policy.
He credited the hard work of his detectives and state police in bringing the complicated case into focus and in making the arrests.
The charge against Lall is based on the police investigation, “statements from parties involved” and footage from street surveillance cameras, according to court documents.
Lall appeared in court Friday afternoon handcuffed and still in street clothes for a brief arraignment. He entered no plea due to the seriousness of the charge. Neither his attorney, Adam Parisi, nor three apparent family members offered comment afterward.
Luna has yet to appear in local court. Police arrested him Wednesday in Delaware and he is awaiting extradition.
Police in January announced a $5,000 reward for help in solving the case. It was unclear as of Friday whether the reward played a role in the arrests.
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
