New York police arrested eight young men who they believe killed a Utah man after robbing his parents on a subway platform in order to get money for a Manhattan discotheque.
The men were charged with the murder of 22-year-old Brian Watkins of Provo.Five of the men, all age 18, were picked up for questioning late Sunday and early Monday at the Roseland Ballroom, where they went after allegedly robbing 46-year-old Sherwin Watkins and stabbing his son, Brian, New York police officer Janice Swinney said Tuesday.
The other three - including Yull G. Morales, 18, of Flushing, Queens, who allegedly stabbed Brian Watkins - were picked up later Monday, police said.
Swinney said all eight were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery.
The suspects were taken in chains from the Midtown North Precinct.
Scheduled to be booked early Tuesday were: Morales; Pascual Carpenter, Brentwood, Long Island; Ricardo Nova, Elmhurst, Queens; Ricardo Lopez, East Amhurst, Queens; Emiliano Fernandez, Flushing, Queens; Anthony Andersen, Woodside, Queens; Louis Fernando Montiero, Flushing, Queens; and Johnnie Hincaipe, Bayside, Queens.
Swinney said Morales was known by his street name "Rockstar," and Fernandez was known as "Trauma."
Chief Joseph DeMartino of the Manhattan detective division said police recovered several weapons, including a cardboard cutter and a folding "butterfly knife" that apparently was the murder weapon.
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N.Y. mayor consoles family
Using his car phone, New York Mayor David Dinkins called Sherwin and Karen Watkins at their hotel to express his sympathy over the death of their son and offer his assistance. "He told them he was saddened," said Anabel Franceschini of the mayor's office. "He said he could imagine how they must feel because he is a father and grandfather."