3rd Accomplice Charged In Crown Heights Murder, DA Says

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — A third accomplice has been revealed in the murder of a Crown Heights man who was found tied up in his own apartment in January.

Prosecutors announced Wednesday that a woman and two men have been arraigned on murder, robbery and burglary charges for the death of Malcolm Holder, who was found asphyxiated and face down on the living room floor of his St. Marks Avenue apartment in January.

The indictment includes a boyfriend and girlfriend who were arrested shortly after Holder's death and reveals the name of a third accomplice, Barber Byron, who allegedly helped with the crime.

The Byron and the boyfriend charged their way into Holder's apartment after he let in the woman, who he knew, prosecutors said.

“Malcolm Holder was killed in his own home allegedly by a woman he trusted and her accomplices," District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "This was an incredibly callous murder of an innocent man whose family and friends are devastated by his death. We will now seek to bring these defendants to justice.”

All three attackers — Amanda Sylvester, Sean Idlet and Byron — are charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first- and second-degree burglary, prosecutors said.

The three showed up to Holder's apartment at 4 a.m. on Jan. 22. After Holder let Sylvester in, the two men forced their way inside, prosecutors said.

The three stole a cash box, a PlayStation console, a speaker and a cell phone and tied up Holder's legs and hands with an electrical cord, according to the DA. He was found the next day by a home health aide.

The Medical Examiner would later determine the cause of death was asphyxiation.

Sylvester, Idlet and Bryon were ordered to be held without bail and face 25 years to life in prison if they convicted of the top count.

They will return to court on June 23, prosecutors said.