November 28, 2006

Indictments Handed Up In Coney Killing

Grand jury returns indictments of Cason and Corse, arraignment scheduled for Friday

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced this afternoon that a grand jury has indicted Tyrel Cason, 24, of Roosevelt, on charges of Murder in the Second Degree in connection with the death of Hykiem Coney, an anti-gang activist from Hemsptead. The grand jury also returned an indictment of Erik Corse, 22, of Freeport, on charges of Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree. Both men were indicted on charges of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees.

Hykiem Coney was shot and killed at approximately 4:00 A.M., October 21, outside Image Bar on Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale. The charges allege Mr. Cason fired a semi-automatic .380 seven times at a group standing outside of the bar, striking the victim in both the back of the head and the torso. The charges also allege Mr. Corse provided Mr. Cason with the weapon immediately prior to the shooting.

Approximately a week and a half after the shooting, Mr. Cason fled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he was apprehended without incident November 17 by United States Marshals and extradited that night by Nassau County police detectives. Mr. Corse was arrested by detectives the same day in Freeport. The following morning, on November 18, Mr. Cason was arraigned on the murder charge and Mr. Corse was arraigned on the charge of Hindering Prosecution. Both men are being held without bail.

The defendants will be arraigned on the indictments December 1 in front of the Honorable Jerald Carter, Nassau County Court.

Mr. Cason faces a maximum of 25-years-to-life in prison if convicted of the charges. Mr. Corse faces a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted of the charges.

Handling the case for the District Attorney’s office is Executive Assistant District Attorney Sheryl Anania and Assistant District Attorney Patricia Theodorou, of the office’s County Court Trial Bureau. Representing Mr. Cason is Brian Carmody, Esq., of Westbury. Mr. Corse is being represented by Gene McElroy, Esq.

The charges and indictments are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.