A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatally shooting his own brother inside their shared apartment in East New York.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “This is a senseless and tragic case that destroyed a family – one brother is dead, and another is behind bars. The defendant admitted his guilt and will now have to live with the consequences of this terrible decision.”
The district attorney identified the defendant as Jahmorley Gayle, 36. He was sentenced on Monday by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice to 15 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision following his guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter in September.
The district attorney said that, according to the evidence, on April 22, 2018, at approximately 11:45 a.m., the defendant called 911 and initially told responding officers that someone killed his brother, Jahimel Gayle, 37, inside their East New York apartment.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Vincent Del Giudice. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese
The victim’s lifeless body was found wedged against the bedroom door, which had a head-level bullet hole. He suffered a fatal wound to his neck.
Officers found a gun in the kitchen cabinet that matched the ballistic evidence and contained the defendant’s DNA on the trigger and trigger guard. Despite Gayle’s initial claim that another person committed the murder, video surveillance showed that no one entered the apartment at the time of the crime and outer windows of the apartment were secured with bars. Gayle later made a statement admitting to killing his brother.
A forensic psychiatrist contradicted the defense claim that the defendant suffered from acute delusional disorder at the time of the murder and concluded that his actions stemmed from heavy cocaine use that led to cocaine-induced psychotic disorder.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Robert Schwartz of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Timothy Gough, bureau chief.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
