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Jury Selection Begins in Murder Trial of Samantha Humphrey
By Drooid · · How we work
Trial Commences for Samantha Humphrey Murder Case
Jury selection is set to start on Monday at the Schenectady County Courthouse. The defendant, Raymond Wright Jr., now 18, faces a murder charge for the 2022 killing of 14-year-old Samantha Humphrey. The trial follows a spring-2025 indictment that charged Wright, then 17, with murder.
Background of the 2022 Killing
In November 2022, Samantha Humphrey disappeared after taking a late-night walk in the Riverside neighborhood of Schenectady. Her body was later recovered from the Mohawk River. Court documents indicate that both Humphrey and Wright were 14 at the time of the incident.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Prosecutors have not publicly identified the suspect by name, but court filings confirm the murder charge. Police allege that Wright strangled Humphrey after she reportedly told him she was pregnant and wished to keep the baby. The case has proceeded slowly, with officials noting the need to build a strong prosecution.
Official Statements & Responses
He added that the lengthy pre-trial period was intended to develop the strongest possible case, and he hopes the evidence will align with reality.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m trying not to think too hard about that and just sort of let events happen,” — Jeff Humphrey
- “People know what the world is,” — Samantha Humphrey
- “And it appears they have a strong case,” — Samantha Humphrey
These statements capture the family’s perspective and underscore the community’s expectation that the trial will finally bring clarity to a case that has lingered for nearly four years.