DA: Coram man found guilty of killing teen brother

A jury on Thursday convicted a Coram man of murder for the fatal shooting of his 17-year-old brother outside their family home, Suffolk prosecutors said.

Dimitri Robert faces 25 years to life in prison for killing Devontay Robert in October 2019 outside the home on Judith Drive, according to the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

“The jury has spoken and justice has been served,” Tierney said in a statement. “This verdict will not bring the victim back but we hope it brings some form of comfort to his family despite the fact that the defendant is a sibling and was responsible for committing this senseless and brutal act.”

Dimitri Robert is scheduled to be back in court May 24 for sentencing.

Prosecutors said evidence displayed during the trial showed that on Oct. 1, 2019, Robert, 27 at the time, shot his younger brother, who was in the passenger seat of their mother’s rented 2019 Nissan Altima.

During the trial, which lasted a little more than two weeks, prosecutors said Dimitri Robert was in a child custody dispute with relatives the night of the shooting.

Suffolk police arrived at the scene for a report of a domestic dispute and saw Robert holding a gun. Robert then ran over to the Altima and shot his brother in the head, prosecutors said. Devontay Robert was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant with the Suffolk medical examiner's office, police said at the time.

The teenager was not part of the dispute between his brother and relatives, Homicide Squad Commanding Officer Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer said.

Robert attempted to flee after dropping the gun but was caught by officers, prosecutors said.