POUGHKEEPSIE – Robert Buda Jr., 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of murder and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in Dutchess County Court on Wednesday. Buda admitted to shooting his in-laws, Paul and Jo-Ann Hait, by shooting them multiple times in their Marlorville Road home in Wappinger on January 26, 2025. Buda also killed the Hait family dog.
Buda, originally from Hyde Park in Dutchess County, was a resident of the State of Florida at the time of the murders.
After shooting the Haits and the dog, Buda spent time removing the 9mm bullets from the victims before setting the house on fire. Firefighters discovered the bodies while they were battling the fire started by Buda. By the time firefighters had arrived, the structure was a raging inferno that required several fire departments to extinguish.
The Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division and Dutchess County Sheriff’s Detectives responded to the scene and launched an immediate investigation. At 8:30 p.m., Buda was arrested in Hyde Park, the same town where his parents reside. A search of his vehicle led to the discovery of a bag of blood-stained clothes and a 9mm Sig Sauer. Detectives also located 11 9mm shell casings, two spent bullets, and two knives.
District Attorney Anthony Parisi said, “Today’s guilty plea ensures that the defendant will be held fully accountable for the brutal and senseless murders of Jo-Ann and Paul Hait. While no courtroom outcome can ever repair the profound loss suffered by their family, I want to recognize their extraordinary strength and resilience throughout this process. Their resolve in the face of unimaginable tragedy has been truly remarkable, and we are grateful for the trust they placed in our office to seek justice on their behalf. I also want to commend the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office for their exceptional investigative work and unwavering commitment to this case. Their professionalism and dedication were instrumental in securing this outcome.”
In a plea deal with the DA’s office, Buda was promised a sentence of 20-years-to-life in prison for each of the two murders, to run consecutively, and a concurrent sentence of 15 years in prison on the weapons charge.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 10, 2026 in Dutchess County Court.
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