Anthony Dunlap, 25 of Bellport, NY was found quilty of murder yesterday a fact that is not really all that interesting unless you have been following the story. Newsday’s article on July 16, 2004 reported that a dead man, one Barry Powell, 28 of Huntington had been found that way outside a Bellport home in the wee hours of July 10th, 2004 dressed all in black, wearing black gloves and a ski mask having been shot 4 times in the back with an AK-47.
It certainly looked like Powell had been planning what is known as a ‘home invasion’ (which is becoming quite a popular form of recreation of late among the less savory characters of our deteriorating society) and had possibly been surprised by some altruistic person, perhaps by the owner in the act.

Powell was no model citizen, and if the testimony of Dunlap’s ex-girlfriend is to be believed (she seems to be the only person with any testimony in the case) had been lured to the site under the pretense of invading a drug-dealer’s home and robbing him by Dunlap. If the police have it right, Dunlap (and possibly others) had to disarm Powell first, because he always carried an AK-47 (doesn’t everyone?).

The home, on a secluded portion of Head of the Neck Road in Bellport apparently didn’t belong to a drug dealer but to a subway motorman and his family who are probably feeling some small gratitude to Dunlap for not backing out on the plan at the last minute and leaving Powell to invade their home alone.

Dunlap’s mother, 39 (you do the math) is quoted after the verdict was read as saying “There’s no justice,” Morris said. “When are they going to stop putting people in jail for things they didn’t do?” Powell’s girlfriend who is 7 months pregnant with his child declined comment.

Since the scene of the crime is only about 3 miles away, I have followed the case with some passing interest and I must admit that I find it difficult to muster much sympathy for the victim. If the story is true, he was shot in the back (apparently with his own gun) in the act of committing a home invasion, even if he did believe that home to be of a drug dealer.

References
Newsday, July 1
June 24, 2005
Archived Newsday article, 2004 - full text costs money