Troy man could serve life in prison for 2019 Albany killing

Raekwon Ellis gets 25 years to life for murder of Raheem Douglas

A Troy man will spend decades in prison for the October 2019 killing of Raheem Douglas.

Prosecutors told the judge on

Friday there was no known prior connection between Raekwon Ellis, 27, and Douglas and investigators were unable to say why Ellis killed him.

A jury convicted Ellis of second-degree murder and on Friday acting state Supreme Court Justice Roger Mcdonough sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison.

Douglas’s aunt submitted a victim impact statement to the court in which she spoke of Douglas’s son, a 5-year-old at the time of the shooting who will now be forced live without his father’s guidance throughout his life.

Ellis spoke to the judge and the victim’s family.

“I want to say sorry to the victim’s family for their loss,” he said, “and I send my condolences.”

But he maintained his innocence, saying, “I have nothing to do with this crime, and I know this ain’t the end for me. I’ll be back.”

After Ellis spoke, Mcdonough noted Albany has seen dozens of homicides in recent years.

“This is just the latest in a long line, unfortunately, of senseless murders in the city of Albany,” the judge said. “These are murders that are victimizing members of the Albany community, and are also perpetrated by members of the Albany community.”

Ellis plans to appeal his conviction.

Douglas was shot Oct. 18, 2019, near the intersection of First Street and Lexington Avenue.

He was found with several gunshot wounds to the torso, authorities said.