Getaway Driver in 1994 Slaying of Community Activist Gets 12 Years in Prison

A Spring Valley man who was the getaway driver in the 1994 shooting death of a community activist has been sentenced to 12 years in state prison.

Daniel Jean-Baptiste, 69, 0f 272 Main St., Spring Valley, pleaded guilty on Jan. 17 to first-degree manslaughter as jury selection was taking place for a trial at the Rockland County Courthouse in New City. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said Jean-Baptiste has been charged with second-degree murder, but the plea agreement was reached with consent of the victim's family, which sought closure after 18 years.

On Oct. 20, 1994, Rene Charles, a real estate broker and well-known activist in the Haitian community in Rockland County, was shot twice - once in the back and once in the right side - at close range with a .38 caliber handgun in the driveway of his Spring Valley home. Jean-Baptiste was arrested Dec. 21, 2011 for his role in the shooting.

Zugibe said Jean-Baptiste driver the shooter to Charles' home and then returned to pick up the shooter. The two fled before police arrived at the home.

“The defendant has been sentenced for the taking part in cold-blooded killing more than 18 years ago," said Zugibe. "This was a senseless killing that left a family and a community without closure. After so much time, I am happy to say that justice has finally been done.”