Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man accused of arranging the robbery that resulted in the Oct. 24 death of Tavorn Hunter was arraigned this morning in Syracuse City Court on a homicide and a robbery charge. Derek A. Williams, 21, of 403 W. Beard St., had an innocent plea entered on his behalf to the charges of second-degree homicide and...
Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man accused of arranging the robbery that resulted in the Oct. 24 death of Tavorn Hunter was arraigned this morning in Syracuse City Court on a homicide and a robbery charge.
Derek A. Williams, 21, of 403 W. Beard St., had an innocent plea entered on his behalf to the charges of second-degree homicide and first-degree attempted robbery.
Williams arranged the time and place of the robbery and supplied an accomplice with a cell phone and a jacket prior to the robbery, according to court papers read in court.
Hunter was killed outside the Middle East Market in the 1900 block of South State Street. A camera in the store captured Hunter struggling with another man outside of a white SUV. The video shows Hunter struggling with the gunman, trying to wrestle away the weapon before the gun is fired.
During the reading of the allegations, Williams interrupted, wanting to ask a question. Judge Karen Uplinger allowed him to speak and Williams wanted to know if the document says he shot Hunter.
"The allegation is a codefendant shot the victim in this case," a member of the district attorney's office explained.
"You are accused of participating in the robbery and killing. You can talk about the facts of the case with your attorney," Uplinger told Williams.
Williams was ordered held without bail and lawyer Patricia Campbell was assigned to represent Williams.
During the arraignment, a woman on a bench filled with supporters of Williams became upset and had to be taken out of the courtroom.
A member of Williams' family declined to talk about Williams after the arraignment.
Hunter was pronounced dead at 6:25 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Upstate University Hospital, in Syracuse, after undergoing emergency surgery.