NYC gangsters allegedly threatened to kill murder trial witness’ pregnant wife, son
Two members of a violent Bronx gang have been arrested for making chilling threats to kill the young son and pregnant wife of a witness who helped convict a gang leader of murder. Tyshawn “Ty Boogie” Palmer, 32, and Hassan “Twin” Brown, 34, were apprehended for posting the brazen threats on Instagram during the recent trial of Lamar “Black” Williams, 35, a leader of the “Mac Ballers” sect of the Bloods.
The gang members posted messages on Instagram threatening to harm the witness’s young child, who is a kindergarten student, and also posted a photo of the witness’s pregnant wife at her baby shower. The posts referred to the witness as a “rat” and a “snitch,” according to court documents.
US Attorney Jay Clayton described the threats as a serious crime that undermines the justice system. Despite the threats, the witness testified during the trial, leading to Williams being convicted of all charges, including the murder of 28-year-old Rasheed Barton in 2013.
Williams was found guilty of murder in aid of racketeering, murder through the use of a firearm, and racketeering conspiracy, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison. Palmer and Brown were arrested by the US Marshals Service in Hackensack, New Jersey and the Bronx, respectively, and appeared in Manhattan federal court where they were held without bail.
The NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the actions of the defendants, stating that their attempts to intimidate witnesses and their families are a deliberate attack on the integrity of the judicial system. Palmer and Brown could face life in prison if convicted of witness tampering and retaliation.
The case was a joint effort between the Southern District of New York, the US Marshals Service, and the NYPD. Attorneys representing the defendants have not yet commented on the case.
