A Mastic Beach man was indicted for the alleged beating death of his domestic partner.
On February 12 at approximately 6:20 p.m., Duntrell R. Thomas, 30, allegedly flew into a jealous rage when he accused his domestic partner, Cheray Jenkins, 41, of having an affair with the man who lived in the Mastic Beach home in which Thomas and Jenkins were temporarily living. On the day of the ambush, Thomas allegedly banged on the front door of the house and saw Jenkins lying on the couch after the other male resident opened the door.
Thomas accused his partner and the man of being together and then allegedly threatened to shoot him. Thomas then allegedly violently punched Jenkins in the face and head as she was on the couch and pleading with him to stop. Thomas allegedly pulled Jenkins from the couch, forcing her to land on the hardwood floor. After she was on the floor, Thomas allegedly continued to attack her with his fists before stomping on her face with his foot.
The male resident called 911, but Jenkins was unresponsive and unconscious, lying in a pool of what was potentially her blood by the time the police arrived. Thomas was arrested at the scene and allegedly became aggressive with the police officers and spit on one of them at the precinct.
Jenkins was brought to Long Island Community Hospital, where she was diagnosed with intracranial hemorrhage and received an emergency decompressive craniectomy. She never woke up and was pronounced dead on February 14.
On February 26, Thomas was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz, for one count of second-degree murder, a Class A felony, and second-degree harassment, a violation.
Horowitz ordered Thomas remanded while the case is pending. Thomas is scheduled to appear back in court on March 20 and will face 25 years to life in jail if convicted on the top count.
“The indictment alleges that the defendant committed a brutal and deliberate act of violence against the victim, his domestic partner,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “Domestic violence cases represent some of the most disturbing crimes we prosecute. Our office is committed to seeking justice for the victim and her family through the legal process and holding those who commit such violent acts fully accountable.”