To keep their gang leader boss from being convicted of murder, a pair of his lackeys went on social media to intimidate a witness, threatening to kill his kindergarten son at his school, federal authorities said Wednesday.
It didn’t work.
Despite the scary Instagram post, gang leader Lamar Williams was still convicted this month of a 2013 murder in the Bronx, and the two underlings accused of trying to keep him out of prison could wind up joining him.
Prosecutors charged Tyshawn Palmer, 32, and Hassan Brown, 34, with witness tampering and witness retaliation in connection with Williams’ trial.
“Palmer and Brown used Instagram to post threats to kill a witness’ child,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said at a Manhattan news conference. “That’s right. They issued brazen threats of death for all to see. These posts referred to the witness as a rat and as a snitch. There were pictures of the witness, pictures of the witness’ pregnant wife, and the witness’ young child.
“The defendants even threatened to attack the witness’ child at his school, at kindergarten.”
The threats were posted and reposted after the witness testified in federal court on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, prosecutors said.
The threats were not enough to stop jurors from convicting Williams, the reputed leader of the Mac Ballers, a violent affiliate of the Bloods gang, prosecutors said.
Williams, 35, who has known Palmer and Brown for years, was found guilty of shooting to death Rasheed Barton, 28, on Aug. 11, 2013, during a gang-related dispute near E. 174th St. and Bronx River Ave., officials said.
He faces a sentence of life in prison.
U.S. Marshal Ricky Patel said authorities learned of the Instagram post during the trial.
“While admirable of that witness to continue to testify, no witness should have to bear being threatened,” Patel said. “We will not tolerate witness tampering and retaliation in any way. To threaten a witness is disturbing in and of itself. But to threaten a (witness’) loved one and their child is outright appalling.”
Clayton would not comment on the protection provided to the witness other than to say he is safe.
