Suspect Appears in Court; Case to Grand Jury

Legal Aid attorneys for Reginald Powell waived his felony hearing in Mamaroneck about two hours before it was scheduled on Thursday.

 

He did appear with his attorney, Lynette V. Spaulding, today before the judge for the first time on burglary charges. Powell was picked up in Manhattan driving murder victim Jannifer Katz’s SUV. her jewelry was in the car. Two bags of heroin was found in the car, as well.

The case will now go to a Grand Jury. Powell is also a suspect in Katz’s slaying, but he has not been charged in her death.

Village Justice Daniel Gallagher ordered Powell held while the grand jury considers the case. Spaulding said she would not seek bail.

Bishop Wayne Powell, a brother of the suspect and a pastor at Strait Gate Church in Mamaroneck issued a statement on behalf of the Powell family. "At this time, due to the sensitive nature of this situation and the deepest respect for the Katz family," it said, "Bishop Powell, the Powell family and the congregation of Strait Gate the Church at Westchester will make no comment regarding this unfortunate occurrence."

Reginald Powell  was on parole at the time of the slaying after serving more than 22 years for killing a Mamaroneck cab driver in 1982 on the New England Thruway. The driver had pulled over, while driving Powell to the Bronx, and Powell shot him.

 

Two hours after Powell was arrested in New York, Katz’s body was found stabbed to death in a closet in her home.