EXCLUSIVE: Riot erupts in Manhattan courthouse after feuding gangs are placed in same holding cell
EXCLUSIVE: Riot erupts in Manhattan courthouse after feuding gangs are placed in same holding cell
The uprising began when alleged '3 Staccs' members staged a fight inside the large cell in Manhattan Supreme Court — and correction officers were beaten and pepper-sprayed by the out-of-control inmates, sources said.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GETTY IMAGESA fight broke out Wednesday in the Manhattan Supreme Court building after members of warring gangs were put in the same holding cell, sources said.
About 20 gang members swept up in the largest gang bust in city history rioted in a courthouse holding cell Wednesday, sources said.
The suspects “bragged” about their feat as they beat and pepper-sprayed correction officers, the sources said.
The uprising began when alleged “3 Staccs” members staged a fight inside the large cell — prompting a response from two officers who were overtaken by the incarcerated, sources said.
The lawmen were stripped of their pepper spray, which was used against them, and they were beaten by the inmates, sources said.
One of the officers reported that she was groped in the frightening scuffle and two Department of Correction captains were spit on — and one of them was also hit, according to a source.
No one escaped past the 12th floor holding area and order was restored in about 15 to 20 minutes.
BRYAN PACE FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWSTayshana (Chicken) Murphy, an 18-year-old high school basketball star, was gunned down in 2011 during the senseless war between the crews.
The misbehaving inmates — who are mostly housed on Rikers Island and were in Manhattan Supreme Court for an appearance — are among a group of about 100 young men from the Grant and Manhattanville Houses in Harlem who had been warring for years until they were caught up in a massive takedown by the Manhattan District Attorney and NYPD on June 4.
Relatives and supporters have protested, arguing the youngsters were caught in a law enforcement net that was cast too wide.
But prosecutors said they were dangerous crews, responsible for two killings and at least 50 shooting incidents.
Tayshana (Chicken) Murphy, an 18-year-old nationally ranked high school basketball star, was gunned down in 2011 during the senseless war between the two crews.
“During the fight, they were bragging about (how they were) sending you guys a message,” the source added.
The group is expected to face additional charges, possibly including assault and attempted escape.
Sources said Lequint Singleton, 21, and Eric Pierce, 19, and likely another accused were responsible for the initial part of the stunt.
Pierce’s lawyer, Kevin Michael Canfield, said he believes the melee was caused by rivals sharing holding space, having court dates booked on the same day.
“There was no escape possible. They were inside a cell,” Canfield said.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/GETTY IMAGESA fight broke out Wednesday in the Manhattan Supreme Court building after members of warring gangs were put in the same holding cell, sources said.
BRYAN PACE FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWSTayshana (Chicken) Murphy, an 18-year-old high school basketball star, was gunned down in 2011 during the senseless war between the crews.
JOE MARINO/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton announces a major gang arrest in Harlem on June 4.
© EDUARDO MUNOZ / REUTERS/REUTERS
A NYPD car patrols near Manhattanville Houses after major arrests in Harlem on June 4.
