Triple homicide convictions helped curtail gangs in Easton, prosecutor says - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com

Houck-Gerould.JPGExpress-Times File PhotoNorthampton County First Deputy District Attorney Terry Houck and Easton police Inspector Matthew Gerould seen here in August 2010 as they announce the arrest of Olayiwola "T-Bone" Hollist for his involvement in a 2007 triple homicide.

The 2007 murders of three people in an Easton apartment came at a time when the city was seeing some "pretty serious" gang problems, said city police Lt. Scott Casterline.

In late 2007 and early 2008, gang activity approached a precipice and would be pushed over by two events: solving a triple homicide and taking down a major cocaine distribution ring in Easton.

"There was an excellent chance that this craziness would have gotten worse, because it would have empowered the gangs" if the murders remained unsolved, said Northampton County First Deputy District Attorney Terry Houck, who prosecuted the triple homicide cases.

But that doesn't mean gangs are gone from the area. A Northampton County corrections officer who recently gave a presentation at Easton Area High School said 8 to 12 percent of  Northampton County prisoners are gang members.

"I'm not saying there aren't still issues," Houck said.

Killed in the Nov. 29, 2007, gangland hits were Alphe Rene, Aleah Hamlin and Chanel Armour. Arrested and later convicted were Ali Elijah Davis, Lewis "Monster" Gray, Olayiwola "T-Bone" Hollist and Demar "G-Red" Edwards.

In the years prior to the triple homicide case, the majority of Easton's murders were tied to gangs or other illegal activity.

  • In May 2007, Joey "Face" Mobley was shot dead by Davis in Easton's South Side public housing development.
  • Also in May 2007, Gene Alexander Patrick was shot dead inside a car in the city's West Ward. The killing had drug and gang ties, police said.
  • Qu'eed Batts, then 14, in February 2006 murdered Clarence "C.J." Edwards and wounded Cory Hilario. The case was linked to the Bloods street gang.
  • Marcellus McDuffie was shot dead in May 2006 by Andrew Paschal outside of Larry Holmes' Ringside Restaurant. At the time, McDuffie was running a cocaine ring in Easton, records say.
  • Lamech "Cash" James was murdered in May 2005 in the Delaware Terrace public housing development in a killing that police think was linked to drugs.

"There are ebbs and flows in gang activity," Casterline said. "Back then, we were in the midst of some pretty serious problems."

The killings of Rene, Armour and Hamlin came during the twilight of a large-scale, years-long cocaine ring. Kingpin Sean Rogers was arrested in March 2008 with about 40 others who were distributing cocaine in Easton and elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley.

Since the triple homicide and the Sean Rogers takedown, nearly all murders in the city have centered on love triangles and domestic situations.

  • In December 2010 Joseph Urquia killed his infant daughter after striking her twice in the head because she would not stop crying.
  • Clinton Harris in March 2010 killed Joe Rountree in a grudge that centered on a woman.
  • Michael Lister in October 2010 killed Tracie "Missy" Raisner following a series of drawn out domestic disputes.
  • Yolanda Cardona in April 2008 shot Harsun Cherry over his relationship with another woman.

One exception is the March 2009 killing of Miguel Aponte, who was gunned down inside the Easton Cafe in the city's Downtown. Police, who are exploring a revenge motive, said that killing had ties to other illegal activity.

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