Klein convicted of murder in death of Philip Rabadi

Jacob Klein was convicted on Thursday of second-degree murder in the killing of Philip Rabadi.

The jury spent two hours on Wednesday before adjourning and returned this morning. They delivered the verdict at 10:21 a.m. Sentencing is set for Dec. 8 in Albany County Court.

Rabadi was found dead at his New Scotland home on April 13, 2022. Police say that Klein had a previous relationship with Rabadi’s wife, Elana Radin, and was jealous of their relationship.

Rabadi’s father Shaw Rabadi was emotional and his attorney was by his side, lending a shoulder to lean on.  He was sniffling at one point and grabbed a tissue. As the jury was leaving the room, he kind of nodded his head kind of thanking them for their verdict.

Judge William Little thanked the jury for being in the courtroom for almost three weeks.

Little asked Klein if he wanted to say anything and he said no.

Klein has been remanded pending sentencing.

During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Jessica Blain-Lewis spent 2 hours reviewing the case. Klein sent emails to Radin saying he hoped her new boyfriend wouldn’t screw up things like he did and later he was jealous of the new husband. He researched information about where they lived and took a trip to Albany in September 2021 to visit the scene.

Family expresses ‘deep gratitude’

The Rabadi family released a statement expressing its “deep gratitude” to the community for its “unwavering support and love.”

“You have all shown us the power of love, compassion and solidarity and we are moved by the outpouring of love and care that surrounds,” the statement said.

“Philip was not only an integral part of our family; he was a shining store in the community. His dedication to making this world a better place and his commitment to helping others has left an indelible mark on all our hearts,” the statement went on to say.

The family started the Phil With Love Foundation to carry to ensure that his “legacy lives on and continues to inspire positive and loving change in our great community.”

Jury convicted by prosecution’s case

In his closing argument, Klein, who represented himself, pointed to a lack of physical evidence and said that investigators zeroed in on him.

Prosecutors say that Klein was set off when he married Rabadi in 2021, continuing to contact her after she told him not to and worrying that he was ill.

Jurors were shown video surveillance of Klein’s movements in the area. They showed surveillance video of what they say is him stalking him and showing up at Rabadi’s home and cell phone data showing him in the area. Klein also sent an email to himself with Rabadi’s license plate number.

In two hours of closing arguments, ADA Jessica Blain-Lewis rebutted Klein’s assertion that investigators had tunnel vision in the case. Despite a lack of physical evidence, all these signs point to the defendant.

“There is one person, one person in this case that has tunnel vision and that person is the defendant Jacob Klein and at the end of that tunnel is Elana Radin,” he said.  

NewsChannel 13 has a crew at the courthouse and will bring updates online and during its newscasts throughout the day.