Raps in gran slays
Handyman indicted for 3 B’klyn deaths
A Brooklyn handyman accused of the serial slayings of three elderly women who lived in his building has been indicted for the brutal crimes.
Kevin Gavin, 66, was arraigned Tuesday in Brooklyn Supreme Court on one count of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder, for which he faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
He pleaded not guilty before Justice Vincent Del Giudice and is being held without bail.
“These victims were mothers, grandmothers and beloved friends whose violent deaths have had a chilling effect inside their housing complex and on the Brownsville community,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
The maintenance man, who did odd jobs for his three alleged victims at the Carter G. Woodson Houses, confessed to each of the killings, claiming the women owed him money, according to prosecutors.
His latest alleged victim, Juanita Caballero, 78, was found on Jan. 15 with a phone cord wrapped around her neck. Gavin allegedly strangled her inside her sixth-floor apartment, prosecutors say.
Nearly two years earlier, on April 30, 2019, he allegedly choked and stomped on the neck of Jacolia “Jackie” James, 83, killing her.
Gavin’s first known alleged target was Myrtle McKinney. On Nov. 9, 2015, he allegedly pushed her into a table then plunged a steak knife into her neck. A home health aide later found her body.
Gavin is due back in court on July 6.