Authorities say that a man was arrested in early November after fatally shooting a man in a Manhattan building. The suspect, 31-year-old Lindell Cox, has been charged with murder.
Police say that the suspect intentionally covered his face with a mask and wore head-to-toe black clothing. The victim, 21-year-old Jaden Stokes, was with a friend in a Manhattan building awaiting the elevator. The duo pushed the elevator button when suddenly Cox ran through and gunned down Stokes and his friend. Stokes suffered a gunshot to the torso, and his friend was shot in the leg.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and attempted life-saving maneuvers on Stokes before he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital. Shortly later, he passed away.
It didn’t take long for police to track down the suspect and charge him with murder. Cox was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, where he was ordered to be held without bail. Initial investigations show that the two men did not know each other prior to this seemingly random act of violence. The whole situation is still under investigation, and it remains unclear what prompted the attack.
Murder in New York
If you were recently accused of committing murder in New York, then there is one thing you need to know. The death penalty was repealed back in 2004, so you won’t be facing capital punishment even if you do ultimately get convicted of the crime. The worst possible sentence you could face is a lifetime in prison.
With that said, you could potentially still face very serious consequences if you get convicted of murder in New York. There’s a huge chance that you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison, but there are a few circumstances that might help you have your charges reduced. Those factors include:
- Whether your actions were premeditated
- Your intent
- The victim’s status (age, profession)
- Whether a deadly weapon was used
- If the crime occurred during the commission of another crime
- Your prior criminal history
While your situation isn’t ideal, there is still a chance that you can avoid the very worst penalties by working with a good lawyer in New York. This is especially true if you didn’t intend to commit the violent crime or other external factors work in your favor.
Were You Recently Accused of a Violent Crime?
Were you recently accused of committing a violent crime in New York? If so, then it’s important to utilize your right to hire a legal representative. Regardless of whether you committed the crime or not, a good lawyer will help you secure a better legal outcome than you would without one. A good lawyer might be able to help you secure a plea deal, have your charges reduced, or help you secure a non-guilty verdict if you didn’t actually commit the alleged crime.
If you’re in New York or the surrounding areas, then our expert defense attorneys can help. Schedule a consultation with our office now to learn more about how we can help.
