3 Gang Members Sentenced In Death Of Cuomo Aide Carey Gabay
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Three men found guilty in the death of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's aide Carey Gabay received their prison sentences on Wednesday.
Gabay was caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout in 2015 ahead of the annual West Indian Day Parade in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The 43-year-old was shot in the head as he ducked behind a car and died five days later.
Five people were arrested in his death. Kenny Bazile and Micah Alleyne were convicted of manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. Stanley Elianor was found guilty of reckless endangerment.
After Gabay's family made their final pleas for the maximum punishments, Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice handed down long prison sentences to all three men. Alleyne received a 20 to 30-year prison sentence. Bazile will spend 20 to 25 years in prison. Elianor will serve a three and a half to seven-year prison term.
A fourth man took a plea deal in exchange for testifying against the others. Another was found not guilty on all counts.
More: Legacy Of Slain Cuomo Aide Carey Gabay To Live On
"In Brooklyn, we will continue to fight against senseless gang violence that in this instance led to the tragic death of Carey Gabay," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. "I hope that Mr. Gabay's family is able to take some solace in the measure of justice delivered with today's sentences."
Gabay was born in the Bronx and raised at the Boston Secor Housing Project. The son of Jamaican immigrants, he worked hard, earning a spot at Harvard University where he'd become one of the first black presidents of Harvard's Undergraduate Council.
He later graduated from Harvard Law School but after two years as a corporate lawyer, he gave up his lucrative job to return to his passion — serving communities in need.
For Gabay, who lost his brother to gun violence, one of his biggest accomplishments was helping enact tougher gun laws in New York.
"That was his goal," his wife told CBS2's Janelle Burrell. "'I am going to change this and it has to begin with me.'"
Gov. Cuomo recently announced plans to turn the Bedford Armory into a community and recreation center named after Gabay.
