Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Laurell Smith, 21, of 311 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York was convicted today after a jury trial of one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony, for a daytime stabbing on September 18th, 2010 on North Avenue in New Rochelle, resulting in the death of Kevin Williams.
The murder was first reported on Talk of the Sound within minutes of the stabbing. Talk of the Sound was first to report that Kevin Williams had died, turning the case into a murder investigation.
Rico Johnson, 20, of 311 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York had previously pled guilty on March 11th, 2011 to one count of Hindering Prosecution in the Second Degree, a class “E” Felony and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a class “E” Felony. Johnson will be sentenced on June 14th, 2011.
Krista Leggieri,18, of 311 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York had previously pled guilty on March 11th, 2011 to one count of Hindering Prosecution in the Second Degree, a class “E” Felony and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a class “E” Felony. Leggieri will be sentenced on June 14th, 2011.
On September 18, 2010 at approximately 2:30 p.m., the victim was walking on North Avenue with his uncle. As they passed 311 North Avenue, the defendant Laurell Smith yelled something out of a window at the victim who then yelled back and a verbal argument took place.
The victim and his uncle continued walking on North Avenue. Smith then exited his residence, caught up with Williams where words continued to be exchanged. During this exchange, the defendant pulled a knife from his waistband and stabbed the victim in the abdomen.
Police responded to the scene and the victim was removed by ambulance to Sound Shore Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 3:51 p.m.
During the ensuing police investigation, Rico Johnson detained later in his apartment told police that he saw the knife on his bedroom dresser – a short time later Krista Leggieri arrived asking for the knife.
Krista Leggieri, detained later in her apartment after allowing the police to enter showed them where she had secreted the knife.
Sentencing for Smith will be on August 9th, 2011.
He faces a maximum of twenty five years in state prison.
Johnson and Leggieri face a maximum of one and one third to four years in state prison.
Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Strongin and Assistant District Attorney Shameika Mathurin of the Superior Court Trial Division are prosecuting the case.
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