Man accused of fatally stabbing woman who was trying to break up a fight on Whitney Street

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The woman found dead inside a Whitney Street home Friday was killed trying to defend a woman who had an order of protection against the alleged killer.

That’s according to Rochester Police, who announced Tuesday that Kevin Dukes Jr. 30, has been arrested and charged with murder. He allegedly stabbed Constance Henry, 38, to death. Her body was found inside a boarding house on Whitney Street near Smith Street on Friday.

Rochester Police say the victim was stabbed while trying to protect another woman, who had an order of protection against Dukes. Officers say Dukes stabbed and killed Henry when she tried to help the woman.

On Monday, U.S. Marshalls took Dukes into custody. He’s been charged with second-degree murder and criminal contempt. He was arraigned on Tuesday morning and is being held without bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 28.

Dukes, a level three sex offender, was convicted in 2014 of a criminal sex act for forcible compulsion while using a firearm and sentenced to nine years in prison. After getting out of prison in 2019, he was re-incarcerated after multiple parole violations. He was released again in June of 2022.

Last November, Dukes was arrested for criminal trespass and criminal contempt, accused of violating an order of protection. Last May, Dukes pleaded guilty to criminal contempt for disobeying the previously issued court order.

Dukes was placed on probation. In addition, he was issued a new order of protection, which he is accused of violating the day of the murder.

Dukes also has an arrest warrant in Gates and a warrant for resisting and obstructing an officer in the state of Wisconsin.