KILLER GUILTY
Manslaughter in J’Ouvert shoot of gov aide
A reputed gang member was convicted Thursday of manslaughter in the 2015 killing of an aide to Gov. Cuomo during J’Ouvert festivities in Brooklyn.
The jury also found Kenny Bazile guilty of gun possession but acquitted him of murder, the most serious charge against him, in the senseless death of Carey Gabay. Gabay, 43, was hit by a stray bullet fired during a turf war shootout as revelers celebrated J’Ouvert outside the Ebbets Field apartments in Crown Heights.
Bazile, 32, had claimed self-defense in the Sept. 7, 2015, killing of the beloved Harvard-educated lawyer. Gabay was attending the festivities with his brother Aaron McNaughton when bullets started flying and he was hit in the head as throngs of people ran for their lives.
The defendant faces up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 12.
Bazile stared straight ahead and showed no emotion as the verdict was read.
When the forewoman said “not guilty” on the murder charge, someone in Gabay’s row of family and supporters choked back a gasp of disappointment while a person on Bazile’s side smiled. The relief drained from the faces of Bazile’s backers when the rest of the verdict was announced.
As Bazile was taken away, McNaughton, who had held his mortally wounded brother in his arms, stared coolly at him. Gabay died in a hospital nine days after he was shot.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and members of his executive staff attended the proceedings.
“Carey Gabay was the epitome of the American Dream. He had an incredible, promising life ahead of him,” Gonzalez told reporters after the verdict. “Gang violence has to be stamped out in our communities. Today’s verdict is an indication our juries are not going to tolerate this.”
Bazile’s lawyer, Samuel Karliner, vowed to appeal the conviction.
“There was never a thought of an outright acquittal,” he added, noting Bazile had conceded the gun possession.
“He’s remorseful about what happened,” said Karliner. “This was not part of his gang war.”
Bazile’s case was one of two trials in Gabay’s death. Jurors in the trial for Micah Alleyne, Keith Luncheon and Stanley Elianor, alleged 8-Trey, Folk Nation and Hoodstarz gang members, respectively, were still deliberating Thursday.
A fifth co-defendant, Tyshawn Crawford, a member of Folk Nation, testified against the others in exchange for a 14-year prison sentence. Crawford is in protective custody. With Andrew Keshner