On September 6, 2023, a Schenectady County Jury convicted Jahaad Ubrich, a Schenectady resident, age 26, of Burglary in the First Degree for causing a physical injury during the commission of the burglary, a class B violent felony in violation of New York State Penal Law section 140.30 (2), Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C violent felony in violation of New York State Penal Law section 140.25 (2), Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor in violation of New York State Penal Law section 120.00 (1), and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor in violation of New York State Penal Law section 260.10 (1). The trial began on August 30, 2023 in Schenectady County Court and lasted one-week. Mr. Ubrich was also charged with Burglary in the First Degree for possessing a dangerous instrument, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, two counts of Menacing in the Second Degree, and one count of Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, of which the jury acquitted him.
The jury convicted Mr. Ubrich of committing a planned, violent assault of a former intimate partner and the mother of two of his children. In the early morning hours of July 17, 2022, Mr. Ubrich coaxed a homeless person to knock on the back door of the Victim’s apartment asking for redeemable cans. After the Victim opened the door, Mr. Ubrich burst into the apartment and began punching the Victim in the face while she was protecting their four-month-old son, who was held tightly in her arms during the assault. Mr. Ubrich was inside the Victim’s apartment, beating the Victim for roughly 10 minutes, until members of the Schenectady Police Department arrived and Mr. Ubrich fled out the back door of the apartment.
After the police arrived, Mr. Ubrich was found in the immediate vicinity of the Victim’s apartment. Once he was confronted by police officers, he fled and a foot pursuit began. Mr. Ubrich was stopped in a backyard a short distance from the Victim’s apartment. The Victim was treated by members of the Schenectady Fire Department, providers at Ellis Hospital, and at WellNow Urgent Care. During the attack, Mr. Ubrich fractured the Victim’s nose and gave her lacerations to the head and arm, leaving her bloodied.
Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney stated: “The Victim in this case endured abuse during the entirety of their relationship. We thank her for steadfastly working with us to expose the Defendant’s conduct, earning him a prison sentence which will appropriately reflect the abuse he inflicted upon her as well as the criminal history he has already accumulated at a fairly young age.”
Based on Mr. Ubrich’s criminal history, having been convicted of four prior felonies, including Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, two separate Burglaries, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Mr. Ubrich faces a minimum of 8 years to a maximum of 25 years in state prison. The People will seek a full, stay-away order of protection for the maximum term allowable by law. Sentencing is scheduled for November 8, 2023.
The case was tried by Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Weinhold of the Special Victim’s Bureau. Special Victim’s Bureau Chief John J. Carson assisted. Mr. Ubrich was represented by attorneys Shawn Duhaney and Taalib Horton. Visiting County Court Judge Tatiana N. Coffinger, the elected Hamilton County Court Judge, presided over the trial.