In a tragic turn of events stemming from a marijuana deal gone wrong, 39-year-old Mark Lancaster of Kingston, New York, a male, was fatally shot on December 1, 2018. The incident unfolded after his son was robbed during a prearranged drug transaction at the Sawkill Trailer Park.
The events leading to the fatal confrontation began when Maurice Stansberry Sr., his son Maurice Stansberry Jr., and a third individual, Kevin Gardener, arranged to purchase marijuana.
However, their intention was to rob the seller. Stansberry Sr., armed with a nine-millimeter pistol, pointed the weapon at Lancaster's son and demanded the drugs. After the robbery, the trio fled in a car driven by Stansberry Jr.
Upon learning of the robbery, Mark Lancaster pursued the suspects' vehicle for about a mile and a half, eventually cutting them off on Sawkill Road. An unarmed Lancaster then exited his vehicle and approached the suspects' car, demanding the return of his son's property. It was during this confrontation that Stansberry Sr. shot Lancaster in the lower abdomen. The bullet caused severe internal bleeding, leading to his death.
Following the shooting, Maurice Stansberry Sr., Maurice Stansberry Jr., and Kevin Gardener were indicted by an Ulster County Grand Jury on charges of felony murder, robbery, and weapons offenses. In the ensuing legal proceedings, Kevin Gardener pleaded guilty to felony murder. Maurice Stansberry Jr. cooperated with the District Attorney's Office in exchange for a negotiated plea agreement and sentence. An Ulster County jury subsequently found Maurice Stansberry Sr. guilty of murdering Mark Lancaster. Stansberry Sr. was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Gardener was sentenced to 17 years to life, and Stansberry Jr. received a five-year prison sentence for his role in the robbery.
