Balkumar Singh was captured in Trinidad and extradited to Nassau County in 2015 for prosecution
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that an international fugitive was sentenced today to 19 years to life in prison for the 1999 murder of a 19-year-old man at a Hicksville wedding.
Balkumar Singh, believed to be 38 years of age, pleaded guilty on Nov. 2 in front of Acting Supreme Court Justice Christopher Quinn to murder in the 2nd degree (an A-I felony) and assault in the 1st degree (a B violent felony).
“Balkumar Singh savagely murdered an innocent young man in front of scores of wedding guests and immediately fled the country,” DA Singas said. “This defendant stayed one step ahead of the law for 16 years, but thanks to our law enforcement partners from around the globe we were able to bring him to justice.”
DA Singas said that on June 13, 1999, the defendant attended a wedding reception at the Masonic Hall on West Nicolai Street, Hicksville. Singh brought a 9mm firearm to the reception and became involved in an altercation on the dance floor. After the incident the defendant left the party and waited outside for 19-year old Abzal Khan. As the victim exited the temple, Singh took his gun out and fired multiple times, striking Khan seven times.
Witnesses described Singh as standing over Khan’s body while shooting him and the incident was witnessed by a crowd of at least 20 people. A 22-year old man, also attending the wedding, was shot in the foot and survived.
The defendant, who had multiple aliases, ran from the scene and fled the country within days of the murder. He is believed to have traveled to Canada and Guyana before he was apprehended in Trinidad.
On July 19, 1999, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office filed an indictment charging the defendant with the crimes to which he ultimately pleaded guilty.
Singh, also known as Tevin Persaud, was featured in a 2009 episode of the America’s Most Wanted television show.
Based on a tip, the defendant was provisionally arrested by Trinidadian authorities in March 2015. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office began the extradition process and Singh was returned to the United States on August 14, 2015, by members of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Division, who worked in conjunction with U.S. Marshals.
Deputy Bureau Chief Jessica Cepriano and Assistant District Attorney Victoria Mauri of DA Singas’ County Court Trial Bureau prosecuted the case. Singh is represented by Andrew Monteleone, Esq.