Albany, NY – 28-year-old Justin Walker of Watervliet (Left) and 24-year-old Jordan McKenzie of Albany (Right) were sentenced to 30 ½ Years to Life, and 23 years to Life in Prison, respectively, before the Hon. Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court this afternoon.

On March 7, 2024, McKenzie and Walker were both convicted of Murder in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Second Degree, following a jury trial. McKenzie also separately pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

The indictment alleged that on or about April 29, 2022, in the area of Grand Street and Madison Avenue in the City of Albany, Walker and McKenzie acted in concert to cause the death of Christopher Bryant by shooting him with a handgun. Specifically, they acted in concert with a third individual, who was 17 years old.

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Blain-Lewis, the Chief of the Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit said:

“The family has had to process so much. They’ve lost a loved one in the most horrific fashion possible, and they’ve had to sit in this courtroom, and hear all of the details surrounding the murder of their loved one, in addition to actually seeing it on video… Even though the two defendants that sit before you were not the ones that pulled the trigger, they might as well have. But for the actions of two men that sit before you, this murder would not have happened. It was at the behest of Justin Walker that this crime was committed, and it was with the aid of Jordan McKenzie that it occurred.”

Judge Ackerman said, with regards to Walker:

“You have a criminal history in New York State dating back to 2011. It includes four prior felony convictions… You have numerous affiliations with the Downtown Gang in Albany. You were on parole at the commission of this offense. You have three children, and there are three different mothers out there that will no longer have the support that they need, because of the choices that you made. And this is the role model that you’re giving for three small children… So you got a 17-year-old to do the shooting for you, and pulled your little brother into the conspiracy as well. Because of you, Christopher Bryant is dead. This community is not safe with you in it, and I do not see anything in your past history that tells me anything except that as you age in our community, you hone your skills to be a dangerous, albeit cowardly killer.”

Judge Ackerman said, with regards to McKenzie:

“In 2015 you were adjudicated a Youthful Offender for possession of a loaded firearm. Burglary and larceny arrests followed, that were still pending at the time of your arrest… I believe that our community needs to be protected from your dangerous behavior, and I hope that you think long and hard for the next two decades of your life, and make significant changes.”

Additionally, DA Soares would like to thank the Albany Police Department, specifically Detective Sean Perkins and the late Conor O’Shea, for their diligent work investigating this case.

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Blain-Lewis, the Chief of the Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit, Assistant District Attorney Ryan Carty, and Trial Assistant Ashley Rizzo handled the prosecution of this case.