Two Brooklyn Men Plead Guilty To 1989 Murder

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that WILLIAM SKINNER and DORIAN BROOKS, a/k/a “Kool-Aid,” pled guilty in Manhattan federal court to charges relating to their involvement in the murder of Efren Cardenas on February 10, 1989, in Brooklyn, New York.  SKINNER is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2022, and BROOKS is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, who accepted today’s pleas.           

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Today, William Skinner and Dorian Brooks admitted their participation in murdering Efren Cardenas over three decades ago, in February 1989.  Today’s guilty pleas demonstrate that law enforcement will never give up on murder victims and their loved ones, no matter how long it takes to achieve justice.”

According to the allegations in the Indictment, and other filings and statements made in court:

On February 10, 1989, SKINNER and BROOKS killed Efren Cardenas, 30, in the vicinity of 280 Herkimer Street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.  During the murder, SKINNER and BROOKS shot Cardenas over 20 times.  SKINNER and BROOKS committed the murder in furtherance of a conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.           

SKINNER, 51, and BROOKS, 51, each pled guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department’s Cold Case Homicide Squad and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

Governor Hochul Announces Booster Incentive in Partnership with the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

 

5 Vaccination Sites In New York State to Hand Out Vouchers for Tickets to the Christmas Spectacular to First 50 Individuals to Receive Their Booster Shot at Each Site

 Governor Kathy Hochul today, joined by Radio City Rockettes Maranda and Sarah, announced the start of the Christmas Spectacular Booster Incentive. Five vaccination sites will hand out vouchers to be redeemed for tickets to the Rockettes production to the first 50 individuals to receive their booster shot. 

"The Radio City Rockettes are a hallmark of the holiday season in New York City and I am thrilled to partner with them and Madison Square Garden for this incentive to get people boostered," Governor Hochul said. "Unvaccinated New Yorkers are the most vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19, but we are not powerless here. Get your vaccine if you haven't already, if you have, get your booster. Wear your mask indoors, wash your hands. Do everything you can to keep your loved ones safe and healthy this season."

Vouchers can be redeemed for tickets for 2 people to the Christmas Spectacular performances on Dec. 20 at either 5:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m.  

Vaccination sites providing vouchers include:  

• Yonkers Public Library, Yonkers, Dec. 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
• Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Brooklyn, Dec. 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
• Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, Dec. 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
• Bethel AME Church, Freeport, Dec. 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
• Queens Museum, Queens, Dec. 15 at 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

24 Days and Counting

 

Here I am at the Bronx Democratic Party Dinner a couple of months ago. They loved me up in the Bronx, and I gave Speaker Heastie all those millions of dollars for that new YMCA in his district. Hey Bronx Democratic Party Leader Senator Jamaal Bailey, that YMCA is in your district also, and didn't you say that you would be using that new YMCA with your family? 

Since Carl was not with you at the Coop-City turkey giveaway you had with Governor David Patterson, I mean Governor Kathie Hochul, and that veteran political reporter Robert Press asked you if you were endorsing Kathy your answer was what? 

Now that Letitia James has withdrawn from the governor's race you and Carl can endorse me, as I am now ready to announce that I am running for Governor now that A.G. James is running for reelection, you can endorse both me for Governor and A.G. James for reelection now. 

Biaggi Town Hall on the Proposed Shelter on 6661 Broadway in Riverdale

 

Dear Community, 

I hope this email finds you well. I would like to invite you to a town hall hosted by myself and my office to discuss the proposed homeless shelter at 6661 Broadway in Riverdale. The purpose of the town hall is to provide any information that my office has regarding the proposed shelter program, and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. The Department of Homeless Services Administrator, Jocelyn Carter, will also be present. We seek to host a welcoming space for the community to come together to have an open and honest discussion. 

The town hall will be held on Monday, December 13th on Zoom at 5:30pm ET. You can RSVP and submit any questions in advance using this form. After RSVP-ing, my office will send a Zoom link Monday morning. I look forward to speaking with you all about this proposed shelter and answering any questions that you may have. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and my team at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling our office at 718-822-2049.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It is nice of Senator Biaggi to do this for the Riverdale community where her district office is located, but where has Senator Biaggi been on the three proposed homeless shelters in Community Board 11 on the East Side of the her district in the Bronx?

New York State Attorney General Letitia James ends campaign for New York State Governor to Run for Re-election as Attorney General

 

New York State Attorney General Letitia James (shown here most recently at the inauguration of Councilman Eric Dinowitz, standing with Westchester County Executive George Latimer) has pulled out of the race for New York State Governor, and will run for re-election as the New York State Attorney General. Tune in tomorrow Friday to Parrot T.V. Talking Politics on You Tube every Friday at 12 PM for analysis of this move and how it effects the other candidates running for governor.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE WILLIAMS RESPONDS TO THE MAYOR'S CRIME STATISTICS ANNOUNCEMENT

 

"After likely the final crime statistics announcement under this administration, as we look ahead to the next, it is critical to acknowledge both the successes and failures of the city’s public safety strategies. 

"Despite the effectiveness of new approaches that I and others pushed for which helped make New York City the safest it had been in decades through 2019, this administration's failure to more fully integrate and structuralize some of these successful approaches contributed to crime in our city rising with the national tide that accompanied a global pandemic.

"If this administration had not been so reluctant to fully embrace the innovative, and comprehensive approaches to public safety that were called for, New York would likely be a safer city today and better prepared for the future.

"While we should look to and learn from the past, we can’t simply go back – not to the way some things were pre-pandemic, and not to the over policing, or the hyper-focus on policing that harmed communities and detracted from more comprehensive public safety policies. Instead, we need to more firmly integrate holistic, community-centered strategies into our overall approach to public safety – not as supplements, but essential elements.

"In looking at the current statistics and environment, we have to ignore the voices that decry any attempts at progress or reform, regardless of the results. The surest way to bring back the bad old days is to revert to the reactionary. To play on fears and slogans rather than forward-looking solutions. In defining the future for New York, we cannot go back to the mindsets of the past."

Allerton Avenue Christmas Tree Lighting

 

Tuesday Evening after the Community Board 7 Christmas Tree lighting, I was able to make it to the Allerton Triangle, where just On Saturday the Menorah was lit by Rabbi Pewzner. With the menorah still on site and all lights lit in the background, the Allerton Avenue Triangle Christmas Tree was lit. 

This event was sponsored by the Allerton International Merchants. Santa Claus brought along Mrs. Claus as they came by car rather than reindeer. 80th Assembly District Democratic Female District Leader Irene Estrada brought toys to give out to the children. To warm up the people, delicious hot chocolate was also served. 

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus pose by the colorful Allerton Triangle Christmas Tree and menorah.

The Claus's are joined by AIM President Gene De Francis, Community Board 11 Treasurer Veronica Castro, 80th A.D. Democratic Female District Leader Irene Estrada, and community resident Larry Mauriello. 

Santa got to work giving out toys with the help of 80th A.D. Democratic Female District Leader Irene Estrada, AIM President Gene De Francis, and Mrs. Claus.

A group photo of many of the visitors to the Allerton Triangle to see the Christmas Tree and receive a gift from Santa Claus.

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR A FATAL SHOOTING IN 2018

 

Jury Found Defendant Guilty of Murder and Criminal Possession of a Weapon

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced the conviction and sentence of 22 years to life in prison after a jury found defendant guilty of Murder and possession of a weapon for shooting a man multiple times on a Bronx street in 2018. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant approached the victim from behind and shot him. When the victim fell to the ground, the defendant continued firing at close range six more times. He has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for this murder.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Akeem Samuel, 32, last of 2280 Andrews Avenue, was sentenced yesterday to 22 years to life in prison for the second-degree Murder charge, along with eight years in prison and five years’ post-release supervision for the second degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon charge by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. The sentences will run concurrently. A jury found the defendant guilty of the charges on October 27, 2021.

 According to the investigation, on the evening of July 31, 2018, the victim, Frederick Hayes, 27, was walking near 2222 Andrews Avenue when the defendant approached him from behind. An eyewitness to the crime testified in court that Samuel went up to the victim, shot him, and when Hayes fell to the floor, the defendant fired again at close range. The victim was shot three times in the back, three times behind the ear, and once in the arm. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The defendant fled the scene and was arrested on December 11, 2018.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective John McGivney of the 52nd Precinct and NYPD Detective Sean Butler of the Bronx Homicide Squad.