Man gets 21 years in prison for shooting that killed Albany man

One of the two men who admitted to gunning down an Albany man last June was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Monday.

Paul Smith was one of two people responsible for killing Javon Ward in the early morning hours of June 5, 2024 in the area of Second and Quail Streets. A 13-year-old and 46-year-old woman were hit by gunfire in the shooting that killed Ward.

The sentencing came after emotional victim impact statements from Ward’s family members in Albany County Court, and an outburst from one audience member that led to his removal. The sentencing of Smith’s co-defendant, Daquan Arrington, was delayed after his public defender was thrown out of court after going on a rant about society and Gaza.

Ward’s father, Joseph Ward, said he did not come into court with hatred for the pair. He said their lives took a wrong turn. “I hope you all change your direction for the better. God bless you.”

Ward’s mother said the two men would see their son when their close their eyes at night and wake up in the morning.

“You took one of my precious sons away from me, and he did not do nothing to you. He don’t even know you. He would give you his hand. He would give you his clothes. Anything you ask, he would give it to you,” she said.

She encouraged them to pray to God or Allah and read those holy books.

While she was speaking, another family member got into a shouting match with Arrington. He was removed from the courtroom, while fighting with them.

“Everyone sit down right now! Anyone who’s standing, will be out of this courtroom and not permitted back in,” said Judge Thomas Marcelle.

Assistant District Attorney Ryan Carty said both defendants have not shown remorse.

“These two defendants pulled up in a car and fired 19 shots – 19 shots – in a crowd of people. Not only did they not think about their actions, not only did they not care about their actions, what they were trying to do, these were two individuals who are currently on parole for violent felony offenses,” he said.

Carty said the victims have expressed willingness to forgive, but forgiveness is earned, and these two defendants have not yet earned that.

Judge Marcelle said that he shared the view of the father of the victim that they turned toward evil.

“The problem as I see it is you remain dedicated to that path,” he said.

Marcelle handed down the agreed-up sentence of 21 years in prison.

Arrington was set to 25 years in prison. Marcelle said his sentencing would have to be rescheduled and his attorney was removed from the courtroom.

Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon said he has been in a lot of courtrooms, and Monday “one of the rawest most heart wrenching, emotional scenes I’ve ever been a part of.”

Kindlon said it is a reminder of why we have to break the cycle of violence in Albany.

Losing an innocent young man like this, and seeing a family so tortured about the loss of a brother and father and a son, makes me believe even stronger in the mission of the District Attorney’s Office and the Albany Police Department and everything we’ve done. But days like today are going to happen again. … We’re working overtime to make sure days like today are few and far behind,” he said.