March 26, 2007

Cason Convicted

First of two trials connected to Uniondale killing brings manslaughter, weapons possession convictions

MINEOLA, NY – A Nassau County jury has found Tyrel Cason, 24, of Roosevelt, guilty of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees, in the first of two trials stemming from the October 2006 murder of anti-gang activist Hykiem Coney, 24, of Hempstead.

The trial lasted just six days and the jury deliberated for one day before reaching their unanimous verdict. Mr. Cason faces a maximum of 30 years in prison at his April 27 sentencing.

Jury selection in the trial of Erik Corse, 22, of Freeport, charged in November 2006 with Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees, will begin April 9.

Hykiem Coney was shot and killed just after 4:00 A.M., October 21, in the vicinity of Image Bar on Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale. During the trial, jurors heard testimony and viewed physical evidence establishing that Tyrell Cason fired a semi-automatic .380 at least seven times from across the street at a group standing outside of the bar. A surveillance video from a nearby tattoo parlor indicated that the group was walking away from Mr. Cason. Two of the bullets struck the victim in the back of the head and in the torso. Mr. Coney died a short time later at Nassau University Medical Center.

Mr. Cason fled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he was apprehended without incident November 17, 2006, by United States Marshals and the Harrisburg and Nassau County Police Departments. He was extradited that night by Nassau County police detectives and arraigned the following morning. Arrested the same day was 22-year-old Erik Corse, a Freeport man. Mr. Corse was charged with Hindering Prosecution in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees for allegedly supplying Mr. Cason with the weapon immediately prior to the shooting. Mr. Corse fled the scene immediately following the shooting with Mr. Cason and another individual not involved in the incident.

Mr. Corse faces a maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted of the weapons charge and an additional maximum of four years if convicted of the hindering prosecution charge.

Handling the case for the District Attorney’s Office is Executive Assistant District Attorneys Sheryl Anania and Meg Reiss. Representing Mr. Cason is Brian Carmody, Esq., of Westbury. Mr. Corse is being represented by Jason Russo, Esq.

The charges against Mr. Corse are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.