Last Updated on March 9, 2024
A group of four were charged with concealing a corpse and tampering with evidence relating to the finding of body parts of a man and a woman in a Long Island park. The individuals were released without bail Wednesday in accordance with New York State’s 2019 bail reform.
Newsday reported Steven Brown, 44, Amanda Wallace, 40, Jeffrey Mackey, 38, and Alexis Nieves, 33, were charged with a series of felonies, including first-degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence by concealing or destroying, and concealment of a corpse.
Four suspects in connection to the killing and dismemberment of two human corpses were released because of New York's bail reform.
Gov. Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) said, "Maybe the DA should have done a more thorough investigation … build your case." https://t.co/YVq7vE4T10 pic.twitter.com/iUmMXKlB13
— Brian J. Pfail (@brian_pfail) March 8, 2024
The charging documents state that the suspects attempted to get rid of “sharp instruments, multiple body parts and other related items and dispose[d] of them so conceal the crime of murder in the second degree.”
Suffolk County Police noted that the victims were a 53-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman. Their body parts were discovered in Babylon, West Babylon and Bethpage State Park.
Newsday reported Suffolk homicide detectives stated the alleged perps “did conceal, alter and destroy human body parts,” and the “dismembered body parts were removed” and “concealed at multiple known locations.”
During the arraignments, Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Frank Schroeder of the Homicide Bureau said they have a wealth of evidence, including the remains, butcher knives, meat cleavers, traces of blood and surveillance video.
However, all suspects were released without bail due to the state’s bail reform, making the crimes bail-ineligible. The suspects were ordered not to leave Suffolk County, report to weekly probation, surrender passports and wear GPS monitoring, reported Newsday.
On Good Day New York, New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul responded to the release, claiming the problem was not the new laws but the prosecution:
Maybe the DA should’ve done a more thorough investigation and brought murder charges or conspiracy to commit murder or even assault charges because all of them are bail-eligible. … I encouraged the DA’s office to go back and build your case … if you bring any of those charges, which I think would be appropriate … Those people would not be out on the street.
Republican Suffolk Country District Attorney Ray Tierney rebutted Hochul and railed the state’s bail reform, stating, “… charges relating to the mutilation and disposal of murdered corpses are no longer bail-eligible, meaning my prosecutors cannot ask for bail.”
Suffolk police reportedly believe the remains found at Bethpage State Park and West Babylon belong to the persons whose limbs were found the week prior at Babylon’s Southard Pond Park.
The media downplayed and often neglected to attribute the release of the suspected murderers to the state’s bail reform.
Many residents of Long Island fail to understand why these suspects were released. The cashless bail laws instituted in 2019 are rather rigid and arguably favor the criminal or, at the very least, make the prosecutor’s job more difficult. Under these reform laws, the aforementioned charges, including mutilation and disposal of murdered corpses, are not bail-eligible, making prosecutors unable to request bail.
America First Michigan state Rep. Joshua Schriver told National File:
[The situation] reminds me of the Dark Knight Rises when all the prisoners are released into the streets while Batman is working his way back to Gotham as he recovers from his broken back in the pit in the desert.
He added, “A natural byproduct of fear and hopelessness is one of the intentions behind why this all is being allowed to happen.”
NYC Subway Killer Had 19 Prior Arrests, Was Free due to ‘Bail Reform’
The fault ultimately lies with the New York Democratic legislators who put these “progressive” laws in place. But for now, Long Islanders fear for the safety of their home — the suburbs.
