Indictment In Shooting Death Of White Plains Man

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Four indictments on recent homicides have been handed up by a Westchester County Grand Jury, the first empaneled since the coronavirus pandemic curtailed court schedules in March.

Among the men arraigned on Monday was Jahliv Niles of Peekskill. All four appeared before Westchester County Court Judge Susan Cacace via video conferences.

"The unique challenges brought on by COVID-19 have made investigating and prosecuting crimes more difficult. I commend our staff including our assistant district attorneys and all our support personnel for the work they have done to bring these cases to the grand jury," Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said in the announcement. "In addition, I want to thank the grand jurors who have taken their civic duty seriously and responsibly voted on these charges. It takes all of us, along with law enforcement agencies, to work toward keeping Westchester safe."

The four men are accused of unrelated murders in Westchester County in the last few months. Charges against each are outlined below.

Brandon Williams of White Plains is charged in the death of Deron Strange in White Plains, May 27, 2020:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony
• 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony

Prosecutors said Strange, 34, was shot at a housing complex. Williams was arrested two days later in a hotel in Harrison. Williams' next court date is scheduled for Sept. 2. Assistant District Attorneys Michelle Lopez, Chief of the Sex Crimes Bureau, and Marissa Morra-Wynn, both of the Superior Court Trial Division, are prosecuting the case.

Jahliv Niles of Peekskill faces charges in the death of Omarion McKenzie in Peekskill, March 27, 2020:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a misdemeanor

Peekskill police investigators said the two teens became involved in a dispute near the intersection of Howard and North Broad streets. Niles, 18, stabbed McKenzie, 17, in the chest with a knife and ran away. McKenzie collapsed in the doorway of 214 N. Broad St. and was later pronounced dead at New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital.

Niles was sent to county jail after arraignment. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 17.

Akeem Palmer of Mount Vernon is charged in the death of Ryan Solomon in Mount Vernon, April 26, 2020:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony
• Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony
• 3 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony
• Menacing in the Second Degree, a misdemeanor

He was sent to jail. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 31.

Assistant District Attorneys Lana Hochheiser, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and Daniel Davis, both of the Superior Court Trial Division, are prosecuting the case.

Eric Greer of Manhattan is charged in the death of Mark Anthony Payton in Yonkers, April 8, 2020:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony

He was sent to county jail. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 31.
Assistant District Attorneys Christine O’Connor, Chief of the Homicide Division, and Jonathan Strongin, Deputy Chief of the Career Criminal Bureau, both of the Supreme Court Trial Division, are prosecuting the case.