A second man was indicted on murder charges Wednesday related to the 2014 kidnap-murder of a notorious Brooklyn slumlord — as conspiracy charges were brought against two more men in connection with the slaying.
Purported ringleader Erskin Felix was hit with second-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy charges in connection with the death of landlord Menachem Stark, whose body was found dumped and burned in a Great Neck Dumpster.
Felix faces up to 25 years to life behind bars if convicted for his role in the fatal abduction of the father-of-seven.
The 37-year-old entered a “not guilty” plea through his lawyer, Mark Pollard, who added that his client–who spent the entire appearance with an eerie smile plastered on his face–had spent the past three years battling cancer.
“My client has not been receiving adequate attention while incarcerated,” Pollard said, before revealing to the court his client had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Erskin allegedly helped his convicted cousin, Kendel Felix, accost Stark as he left work late one night during a blizzard in Jan. 2014.
The duo, who had done construction work for Stark, planned to rob him–but the 39-year-old accidentally suffocated to death in the back of a car as the two made their getaway, prosecutors Emily Dean and Howard Jackson said.
Erskin and his brother Kendall Felix were previously arraigned on various charges related to the bungled hold-up in October.
Erskin, 38, was previously charged with first degree-kidnapping and second-degree murder, while Kendel, 29, was charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with evidence.
But Wednesday, Kendall–who was out on $200G bail– was also hit with second-degree conspiracy charges before Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Danny Chun, and jailed.
A fourth man, Irvine Henry was also indicted on second-degree conspiracy charges before Chun, and held without bail.
Kendall is accused of helping burn Stark’s body, while Henry is accused of attempting to remove a tracking device from Stark’s car following the botched robbery.
Both men pleaded “not guilty,” and face up to 25 years to life behind bars if convicted.
Kendall’s defense attorney Gilbert Parris argued that his client, who works with children, is a “falsely accused, innocent person.”
Parris also hinted to Judge Chun that Kendel Felix, who is still awaiting sentencing, might be attempting to cut a deal with prosecutors by pointing the finger at his client.
Morris Shamuil, who is representing Irvine Henry, said his client “adamantly denies the allegations.”
The Stark and Felix families packed the pews Wednesday for the arraignment, sitting on opposite sides of the courtroom and avoiding eye contact.
“This indictment is the latest step in our journey toward justice for Menachem Stark, his seven children and the rest of the family his killers took him from,” said Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
“The tireless work of NYPD investigators and prosecutors from my Office will ensure that all involved in this grievous crime are held to answer for their despicable acts.”