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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison

for Flatlands Shooting That Killed Gang Rival Sitting in Car with Girlfriend

At least Nine Shots from Large Caliber Handguns were Fired into Vehicle

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for a shooting that left a 21-year-old man dead. The defendant and his accomplice opened fire into a car parked in Flatlands where the victim was sitting with his girlfriend. The victim managed to push his girlfriend out of the car before collapsing, shielding her from the gunfire.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Anthony Francis was a beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin who was just 21 years old when he was shot and killed in a senseless act of gang violence. The lengthy sentences resulting from his murder underscore my commitment to protecting our communities from dangerous gang rivalries that harm too many young people.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tarell Herbert, 30, of Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Heidi Cesare to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 8, 2023, following a jury trial. His co-defendant, Tristan Murray, 31, of Brooklyn, was sentenced by Justice Cesare to 35 years to life in prison last June. Murray was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on May 19, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on September 2, 2016, just after 7 p.m., Anthony Francis, 21, was wrapping up a visit with his girlfriend in Flatlands, Brooklyn, when they entered his BMW, which was parked on the street. Francis and his girlfriend were seated in the vehicle when the defendant and Murray drove up to the BMW at approximately 7:26 p.m. and opened fire at point-blank range from their passenger side window into the BMW.

The defendants were affiliated with the Folk Nation gang in Flatbush and were looking for rival gang members to shoot at the time of the incident, according to trial testimony. They spotted the victim, a member of the rival Woo gang, based in Canarsie, and one of the defendants yelled “Woo,” which is a way that Woo members greet each other, according to trial testimony. The defendants then opened fire. The victim, who was struck in the chest, pushed his girlfriend out of the car just before he died. Multiple .40 caliber and .45 caliber shell casings were found at the scene and Francis’ BMW was riddled with .40 and .45 caliber bullets.

The case was investigated by NYPD Detective Steven Yatchenya and the NYPD Brooklyn South Homicide Task Force, as well as a Detective Investigator assigned to the District Attorney’s Special Investigations Unit.

The District Attorney thanked the Detective Investigators of the Special Investigations Unit, as well as analysts assigned to the DA’s Digital Evidence Lab, for their work on the case. The District Attorney additionally thanked Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau Paralegals Diane Fields-Vernon and Tania Lopez for their assistance.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Ford and Senior Assistant District Attorney Michelle Kiley, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Brooklyn Man Arraigned on Attempted Murder and Other Charges for

Allegedly Stabbing Two Men in Homeless Shelter and Another in Subway

The Victims Were Asleep When the Defendant Allegedly Attacked Them

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with attempted murder, assault and other charges in connection with a series of stabbings that left three innocent men seriously injured.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly engaged in a horrific spree of violence, brutally stabbing three innocent and vulnerable people as they slept. We have no tolerance for this kind of random violence in Brooklyn and will now seek to bring the defendant to justice.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Abraham Kentish, 27, formerly of the SUS Shelter in East New York, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Matthew Sciarrino on an indictment in which he is charged with three counts of second-degree attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, and related charges. The defendant is being held without bail and was ordered to return to court on March 7, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on November 12, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., at the SUS Shelter, a homeless shelter, located at 1000 Blake Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn, the defendant allegedly went into the room of a 70-year-old client who was sleeping and stabbed him 15 times in the torso and about the body. The defendant allegedly then went into the room of a 38-year-old client who was also sleeping and stabbed him twice in the face and once in the elbow. The defendant then left the shelter and a security guard, who was told about the stabbings, called 911.

Furthermore, it is alleged, later that morning, between 1:55 a.m. and 2:55 a.m., the defendant entered the New Lots Avenue subway station, boarded a number 4 subway car, and walked up to a 32-year-old man who was sleeping and stabbed him once in the neck.

All three victims were taken to Brookdale Hospital where they were treated for stab wounds.

The defendant was arrested later that morning by two New York City Police Officers who saw that he matched the description of an individual being sought for the attacks.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ainissa Proctor and Assistant District Attorney Ashlica Malcolm of the District Attorney’s Red Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Karla Watson, Bureau Chief.

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An indictment is merely an accusation and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 8, 2024

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for
Execution Murder of One Man and Shooting and Injuring a Second Man

Defendant Opened Fire Inside of Crowded Deli

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally shooting one man and shooting and wounding a second man inside of a crowded deli in East New York, Brooklyn.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant showed a complete indifference to human life when he callously opened fire inside of a crowded deli, repeatedly shooting and killing one man, a soon-to-be father, and shooting and severely wounding a second man. Today’s sentence holds him accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Marcus Worrell, 28, of East New York, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 25 years to life in prison. The defendant was convicted of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon on November 9, 2023, following a jury trial.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on June 5, 2020, at approximately 8:20 p.m., the defendant entered a deli located at 620 Livonia Avenue and shot Evon Hillman, 28, and continued firing at him even after the victim fell to the ground. Hillman died instantly, according to testimony. A second man, age 40, who was standing next to the victim, was shot in the stomach and suffered massive internal damage.

The defendant then left the deli, according to the evidence, and robbed another man of his motorbike at gunpoint to escape. He was arrested two months later, on August 5, 2020, by the New York City Police Department.

Hillman’s fiancée gave birth to their son two months after the murder.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Evan Hannay, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Chow Xie, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 14, 2023

 

Brooklyn Lawyer Indicted for Allegedly Stealing

Nearly $1.5 Million from Three Clients

Allegedly Kept Home Sale Proceeds and Estate Funds

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that Brooklyn lawyer Salvatore Strazzullo has been arraigned on an indictment charging him with stealing close to $1.5 million from three clients he represented in real estate and estate proceedings.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “Attorneys have an ethical duty to protect their clients’ interests, and we will hold accountable those who use their trusted position to steal from Brooklyn residents. The defendant in this case is a lawyer who allegedly betrayed his clients and failed to provide them with their money. Instead, he is accused of violating the trust of vulnerable individuals and using their funds to pay creditors and other expenses.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Salvatore Strazzullo, 51, whose law office is located in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Tomlinson on an indictment in which he is charged with one count of first-degree grand larceny, two counts of second-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree scheme to defraud. The defendant was released without bail and ordered to return to court on January 17, 2024.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, the defendant represented a 79-year-old woman on the sale of her house on 67^th Street in Bensonhurst. The proceeds of the sale were over $1.2 million. After the closing in September 2023, the client asked that the defendant give her the money, but he allegedly made excuses, claimed there were various delays and, to date, has not turned over her funds.

It is further alleged that the defendant represented another client, an 80-year-old man, on the sale of his property on 13^th Avenue in Borough Park. The closing was in July 2022. In July of this year, the client requested that the defendant provide him with the balance of the sale proceeds, approximately $170,000. The defendant allegedly made excuses, stalled, delayed and, to date, has not turned over that money.

Finally, it is alleged that the defendant represented a 52-year-old woman in Surrogate’s Court proceedings pertaining to her husband’s estate. The defendant held the estate funds in his attorney escrow account and disbursed some of the assets to the client, who is the administrator and sole inheritor of the estate. Starting in May 2023, the client repeatedly asked that the defendant disburse approximately $96,000 that remained in the account, but he allegedly made excuses, stalled, delayed and, to date, has not turned over those funds.

The investigation revealed that much of the funds that were entrusted to the defendant by the three victims were allegedly used to pay creditors or to pay expenses that had no connection to the clients’ legal matters.

People who believe they have been victimized by this defendant are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Action Center at 718-250-2340 or to send an email to StrazzulloComplaints@brooklynda.org.

            Supervising Financial Investigator Susan Ryan, of the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and Crimes Against Revenue Bureau, Paralegal Sheila Jones and Intelligence Analyst Yacelys Corona, both of the District Attorney’s Investigations Division, and a Detective Investigator all assisted in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Laura Neubauer, Chief of the District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Bureau Chief, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michel Spanakos, Deputy Chief of the Investigations Division, and Patricia McNeill, Chief of the Investigations Division.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for

Execution Style Murder in Crown Heights

Shot Victim in the Head; Evidence Included Video Surveillance

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for fatally gunning down another man in Crown Heights.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “The defendant in this case coldly executed another man by shooting him in the head. After a robust investigation and a thorough prosecution, he has now been held accountable for this crime. Acts of gun violence in Brooklyn will always lead to severe consequences.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Rennie Patterson, 22, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to 25 years to life in prison following his conviction in September 2023 of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The District Attorney said that, according to the evidence, on December 16, 2017, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the defendant shot and killed John Barnes, 32, in front of 1339 Saint John’s Place. Video surveillance captured the defendant leaving a building next door to his residence, about 10 blocks away, along with a friend, and tracked them walking to the scene.

Seconds after confronting the victim, who the two spotted driving in his car, the defendant pulled out a gun and fired two shots, striking the victim twice in the head. The defendant and his friend immediately fled and were seen running back into their respective homes. The evidence showed that the friend and the victim got into a physical fight and had to be separated a few days before the incident.

The defendant was arrested on July 11, 2018.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Jhounelle Cunningham, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Leila Rosini, Homicide Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 17, 2023

 

Homeless Man Sentenced to 14 Years to Life in Prison for

Stabbing a Skateboarder on the Williamsburg Bridge

Unprovoked Attack Left Victim in Critical Condition

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a homeless man has been sentenced to 14 years to life in prison for stabbing and severely injuring a skateboarder during an unprovoked attack on the Williamsburg Bridge.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a brutal and horrifying attack on a completely innocent man. I am committed to keeping the people of Brooklyn safe from violence. With today’s lengthy sentence, the defendant will be held accountable for his actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Omar Cartagena, 46. The defendant, who was deemed a mandatory persistent violent felony offender because of previous felony convictions, was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino to 14 years to life in prison. He pleaded guilty to second-degree assault on September 7, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, on October 16, 2021, at about 10 a.m., the defendant was riding a bicycle behind the 30-year-old victim as he skateboarded across the Williamsburg Bridge. According to the evidence, the defendant started to yell at the victim and demanded he get out of the way. Despite the victim moving to the other side of the bike path, the defendant continued to yell at him. The defendant then pulled up next to the victim and stabbed him once in the chest with a knife.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the victim was able to take a photo of the defendant as he rode away and a second photo of the defendant waiting for him at the end of the bridge with the knife in his hands. The victim then skateboarded to an urgent care clinic in Greenpoint where an employee called 911. The victim was transported to Elmhurst Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery — including a sternotomy — due to severe internal bleeding. He remained hospitalized for eight days.

The defendant was arrested approximately two hours after the stabbing by detectives who were canvassing the area around the Williamsburg Bridge and recognized him from the victim’s photos. The defendant had a bloody knife tucked into his waistband. DNA from the blade matched the victim.

Additionally, in the time between stabbing the 30-year-old victim on the Williamsburg Bridge and his arrest, the defendant stabbed a 34-year-old man on the Lower East Side.

The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in Manhattan in that case and received a sentence of 14 years to life in prison. The Brooklyn and Manhattan sentences will run concurrently.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sanam Shah, of the District Attorney’s Grey Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hogg, Deputy Bureau Chief, and the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Robert Walsh, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 6, 2023

Prospect Lefferts Gardens Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison
for Shooting Spree that Wounded Roommate and Two NYPD Officers

Defendant Pleaded Guilty to Attempted Murder in September

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Prospect Lefferts Gardens man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea to second-degree attempted murder for shooting his roommate and then opening fire on four New York City Police Officers who responded to the roommate’s 911 call. The defendant fired three shots at the officers, wounding two of them.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a terrifying act of gun violence that underscores the dangers our police partners face every day on the job. We will never allow violence against law enforcement here in Brooklyn, and today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his deplorable actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Ridhwaan Abdur Rashid, 46, of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo to 12 years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision. The defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder on September 26, 2023.

The District Attorney said that on March 7, 2021, at approximately 9:11 p.m., four New York City Police Officers assigned to the 71^st Precinct responded to a 911 call about a man shot by an emotionally disturbed person inside a second-floor apartment at 42 Hawthorne Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. According to the evidence, officers entered the building and were climbing the stairwell in a single-file line when the door to the apartment opened, and the defendant emerged. The officers engaged in a brief conversation with the defendant, who was draped in a blanket and speaking incoherently. The defendant then displayed an illegal .38-caliber handgun. After commands to drop his weapon, the defendant fired three times at the officers. One bullet clipped Police Officer Robert Aviles in his bulletproof vest; another grazed Police Officer Jonathan Landro in the leg. Officers returned fire but did not strike the defendant.

Furthermore, according to the evidence, the defendant then barricaded himself in the apartment while his wounded roommate, Damon Lindsay, 47, hid in an adjoining bedroom with his girlfriend. The standoff lasted for approximately one hour. At one point, Lindsay’s girlfriend waved a white shirt out of a window to signal for help and tossed a set of keys to officers outside so they could gain access to the apartment. An Emergency Services Unit was eventually able to extract the defendant from the apartment.

Lindsay was taken to the Kings County Hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds to the leg and later released. Officer Aviles and Officer Landro were also taken to Kings County Hospital where they were treated and released.

A search warrant was obtained for the apartment. In addition to the 38-caliber handgun, an illegal shotgun and rifle were also removed. In May 2022, Lindsay pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to probation.

The District Attorney thanked NYPD’s Force Investigation Division and KCDA Supervising Paralegal Aneudy Mata for their assistance on the case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Boykin, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Green Zone Trial Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Danyelle Shapiro, also of the Green Zone, and Senior District Attorney Jonathan Visotzky, formerly of the Green Zone, under the overall supervision of Assistant District Attorney Frank DeGaetano, Green Zone Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, October 20, 2023

East Flatbush Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Arson

Defendant Set Fire in Multiple Family Dwelling, Injuring Eight Tenants and a Firefighter

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that an East Flatbush man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for starting a fire that spread from his apartment to two others in the building, causing injuries including bone fractures, smoke inhalation and burns.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This senseless early morning attack endangered numerous children and adults, leading to some life-threatening injuries. Thankfully, the victims have recovered. Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his criminal actions.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Sedgrick Jacob, 32, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. He was sentenced today by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Jane Tully to 10 years in prison. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted arson on October 3, 2023.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on May 25, 2021, at approximately 4:48 a.m., at 255 East 95^th Street in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, a two-story building with two apartments on each floor, the defendant set fire to a mattress in his first-floor apartment, then fled the apartment.

The fire, which spread to a second-floor apartment, rendered the fire staircase to the main door unusable causing two of the seven family members inside of the apartment, a 48-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man to suffer fractures after jumping from a window. Other family in the apartment included a 23-year-old woman, who suffered severe smoke inhalation and was intubated, and a 49-year-old man and three children ages 3, 7 and 11, who escaped from the second floor with the aid of passersby and responding firefighters. They suffered smoke inhalation and minor burns.

Another tenant, a 36-year-old man, was trapped in his first-floor apartment and was unable to escape. He suffered burns to his feet and heavy smoke inhalation, causing him to be intubated. One of the firefighters who responded to the scene suffered burns and was hospitalized.

Video surveillance from the building shows that shortly after the fire started the defendant exited the building and was then seen walking back and watching the smoke come out of the building. He is then seen fleeing the scene.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Bravo, of the District Attorney’s Blue Zone Trial Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Kin Ng, Bureau Chief.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, October 4,  2023

Six Defendants Charged with Conspiring to Traffic Narcotics Following Undercover Investigation into Open-Air Drug Deals in Bedford-Stuyvesant

 Operation Began in Response to Numerous Community Complaints

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban today announced that six people have been indicted in connection with a narcotics trafficking ring that operated primarily in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Four of the defendants are charged with acting as a major trafficker.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This indictment reflects our commitment to responding to complaints from concerned neighbors and to take drug dealers off our streets. We allege that these defendants profited from the misery of addiction while upending the sense of safety in the community where they brazenly operated. Thanks to the hard work of my Detective Investigators, the NYPD and prosecutors from my office, we will now seek to hold them accountable for their criminal actions.”

Commissioner Caban said, “Drug trafficking is a scourge not tolerated in New York City, neither by law enforcement nor the people we serve. And together with our partners at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD will continue working toward a city whose neighborhoods are free of illegal narcotics and those who seek to profit from their proliferation.”

Three of the defendants, Lance Spearman, Herbert Bazemore and Larry Childress were arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on an indictment in which they are variously charged with acting as a major trafficker, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Acting as a major trafficker is an A-I felony. Spearman was ordered held without bail; Childress was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail or $1 million bond; Bazemore was ordered held on $1 million cash bail or $1.5 million bond. All of the defendants were ordered to return to court on December 8, 2023.

Three additional defendants will be arraigned on a later date. Jermalee Reese is charged as part of the above-mentioned conspiracy indictment. Steve Rich and Travis Davis are each charged in separate indictments with criminal sale of a controlled substance and other related counts. [See defendant addendum.]

It is alleged that over the course of the investigation, from May 2022 to October 3, 2023, the narcotics dealers operated primarily in the vicinity of Putnam Avenue and Nostrand Avenue in the 79^th Precinct in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The investigation began following detailed community complaints about open-air drug dealing at the specified location. Detective Investigators from the District Attorney’s office and NYPD detectives from Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North conducted the investigation, which included making a total of 25 undercover narcotics purchases from the six defendants.

It is alleged that the defendants variously sold quantities of crack cocaine and heroin (which was packaged in distinctive green glassines). The investigation was conducted with the use of undercover detectives and physical and electronic surveillance.

In addition, following a car stop on September 23, 2023, police allegedly recovered approximately 60 green glassines of heroin from defendant Herbert Bazemore’s pocket. Each glassine sells for approximately $10 and are packaged in bundles of 10. After obtaining a search warrant for his vehicle, 59 bundles consisting of 590 glassines and more than $5,000 were recovered from inside the car.

In the wake of today’s takedown, the Brooklyn DA’s Office reached out to local elected officials, neighborhood leaders and community-based organizations to apprise them of the law enforcement action. The office will partner with them to provide support and services to help those experiencing substance use disorder get the help they need, while working together to deter others from filling the supply gap created by today’s prosecutions.

The investigation was conducted by KCDA Detective Investigators and New York City Police Detectives and Officers assigned to the Narcotics Borough Brooklyn North.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bennett, of the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Theresa Robitaille, of the District Attorney’s Organized Crime and Racketeering Unit, Senior Assistant District Attorney Anne Volk of the District Attorney’s Crime Strategies Unit, and Senior Assistant District Attorney Radiyah Dobre, also of VCE, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Gillian DiPietro, VCE Deputy Chief, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Cilia, VCE 1st Deputy Chief, and Assistant District Attorney Alfred De Ingeniis, VCE Chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney David Klestzick, Deputy Chief of the Trial Division and Gregory Thomas, Senior Executive for Law Enforcement Operations.

Defendant Addendum:

1. Lance Spearman, 43, of East New York, Brooklyn.
2. Herbert Bazemore, 43, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
3. Larry Childress, 49, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
4. Steve Rich, 58, of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
5. Jermalee Reese, 53, of East New York, Brooklyn.
6. Travis Davis, 34, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

 

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

 

 

 

 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Sunset Park Man Arraigned for Hammer Attack

That Killed Mother and Critically Injured 2 Children

Defendant Faces Up to 25 Years to Life in Prison If Convicted of Second-Degree Murder

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that a Sunset Park man has been arraigned on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for an alleged attack in which he bludgeoned and strangled a 43-year-old mother to death and critically wounded her 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter with a hammer.

District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This was a horrific, harrowing, and unspeakably brutal attack on an innocent mother and her two defenseless young children. With this prosecution, we will seek justice for Zhao Zhao and her son and daughter, as well as their heartbroken family, friends, and neighbors.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Liyong Ye, 47, of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. He was arraigned today before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun on an indictment in which he is charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The defendant was ordered held without bail and to return to court on November 8, 2023. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

The District Attorney said that, according to the investigation, on August 23, 2023, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the defendant allegedly attacked Zhao Zhao, 43, and her two children inside an apartment at 531 52^nd Street shared by the two families and two roommates. The defendant and Zhao had previously argued over living conditions inside the apartment.

According to the investigation, the defendant allegedly called one of his roommates, shortly after the attack, and told him to pick up the defendant’s 5-year-old son. When the roommate returned to the apartment, he found the floor and walls of the kitchen covered with blood. The defendant was allegedly holding a bloody hammer in his hand and standing over the bodies of Zhao and her children. The roommate went outside and called 911. The defendant was arrested outside of the building.

Zhao was taken to Lutheran Hospital where she was pronounced dead from massive blunt force trauma to the head and body. Her children were treated at the Pediatric Trauma Unit at Bellevue Hospital and subsequently transferred to a long-term rehabilitation facility where they continue to recover from their critical injuries.

The District Attorney thanked Office Manager Jannette Ayala of the Homicide Bureau for their assistance on the case.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Chow Yun Xie, Deputy Chief and Assistant District Attorney Daphney Gachette of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau Senior, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Leila Rosini, Chief of the Homicide Bureau.

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An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.