DA: Two indicted in fatal Woodmere home robbery

Two Brooklyn men were arraigned yesterday on an indictment in the botched robbery attempt of a 20-year-old Woodmere man who was fatally shot in the back as he tried to escape, prosecutors said.

A grand jury on Aug. 27 returned the indictment against Edward Williams, 30, and Anthony Jackson, 23, the Nassau County district attorney's office said. Both men are charged with first- and second-degree murder and kidnapping in the June 15 killing of Tristan Theodore, prosecutors said.

Williams was also charged with first-degree and second-degree attempted murder; first- and second-degree robbery; first-degree burglary; and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Jackson also was charged with first- and second-degree robbery; first- and second-degree burglary and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Williams faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole; Jackson faces 25 years to life. Both defendants remain in custody without bail.

"These two violent criminals laid in wait for their victims and stopped at nothing, including murder, as they terrorized them in the pursuit of money and valuables," Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said in a statement.

According to a news release, "June 15, at approximately 1:40 a.m., Theodore and a friend arrived at Theodore's home in Woodmere, when they were accosted in the driveway by Jackson and Williams. Jackson and Williams then forced the two men into the house and downstairs to the basement, where the victims were bound with duct tape and told to turn over their cash and valuables."

The two men took cash, cell phones and car keys, along with a PlayStation, prosecutors said, before leading the victims into Theodore's car.

Theodore's friend was able to jump from the moving car, authorities said, and Theodore escaped from the car shortly afterward. However, authorities said, Williams chased Theodore through the backyards of several homes and shot him in the back. He collapsed on a back porch.

He later died at South Nassau Communities Hospital.Williams' attorney, Joseph LoPiccolo of Garden City, said the prosecution's case is based on an eyewitness with a criminal history.

"Mr. Williams is looking forward to defending himself in court and is optimistic of a return to his family," LoPiccolo said. Jackson's attorney, Alfred Braverman of Mineola, was not immediately available.