Robert Cartagena was convicted Tuesday in connection with the 2011 shooting death of teen basketball star Tayshana Murphy at a Harlem public housing project, the second man to be convicted in the case. NY1′s Michael Herzenberg filed the following report.
The legacy that loved ones want for Tayshana Murphy, nicknamed “Chicken,” is one of basketball tournaments and other events in her name, raising money for youth programs.
“She was somebody special,” said one person.
“She was a popular young lady,” said another.
“She was going to be a superstar,” said a third.
Neighbors in the Grant Houses still remember Murphy. The high school senior wanted to play pro basketball, but two-and-a-half years, ago she was gunned down.
“They came to shoot, to kill somebody,” said one person. “This girl was an amazing person. She was a great, great person. May she rest in peace.”
Some here said they’re resting easier knowing that a jury Tuesday convicted Robert Cartegena on charges of second-degree murder.
Prosecutors said Cartagena, who’s now 23, and Tyshawn Brockington followed Murphy to the fourth floor of a building in the Grant Houses and shot her three times.
Another jury already convicted Brockington.
“First of all, I think it brings closure, however sad, to the families of the victim,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. “Secondly, I think it speaks to a problem that we cannot pay enough attention to. Kids are using guns to kill kids. People are bringing guns into our communities and selling them to kids. That is unacceptable.”
Vance said it’s still unclear how the two got the gun, but prosecutors said both are affiliated with the Manhattanville Houses and were looking to attack anyone from the Grant Houses as retribution.
The judge already sentenced Brockington to 25 years to life in prison. Cartegena could get the same sentence. A hearing for that is scheduled for the end of the month.
For more information, go to tayshanachickenmurphy.org
http://ift.tt/1hyGUKI
via Great Local News: New York http://ift.tt/1iZiLP1
No comments:
Post a Comment