SOUTH BLOOMING GROVE, NY — The New York State Police have arrested Joseph M. Pennyfeather III, 44, of South Blooming Grove, following a homicide investigation in Orange County.
On December 23, at approximately 4:41 p.m., troopers from State Police Monroe responded to a residence on Heights Trail in the Village of South Blooming Grove for a report of an unconscious female with a gunshot wound.
Upon arrival, troopers located an adult female victim suffering from a gunshot wound and apparent trauma.
Life-saving measures were initiated, and the victim was transported by ambulance to Garnet Health Medical Center, where she was later pronounced deceased.
The victim has been identified as Tanzanica Dickerson, 45.
Members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Forensic Investigation Unit, and Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene.
The preliminary investigation determined that Pennyfeather and Dickerson cohabitated and were involved in a verbal argument that became physical prior to the incident.
An autopsy conducted by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be a gunshot wound, with evidence of blunt force trauma.
The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Pennyfeather was taken into custody at the scene and arraigned in City of Middletown Court on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
He was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail.
Pennyfeather is scheduled to appear in Town of Blooming Grove Court on December 29 at 9:00 a.m.
The investigation is ongoing.
