Witness links two to bank robbery crew

As federal prosecutors showed jurors videos and photos of six bank robberies on Long Island and Queens Tuesday, a witness linked the two alleged masterminds of the robbery crew to each crime.

The witness, Jamel Thompson, a self-confessed robbery crew member who testified in a matter-of-fact monotone, also identified mock bombs used to intimidate bank employees in several robberies, under questioning by federal prosecutor Lara Treinis Gatz.

It was the third dramatic showing of videos or photographs that Treinis Gatz and fellow prosecutor Thomas Sullivan have introduced in federal court in Central Islip in attempt to convict the alleged crew leaders, Sharod Williams, 39, and his cousin, Travis Walker, 25.

Walker and Williams, both from South Ozone Park, are charged with conspiracy, robbery, and use of a firearm in a robbery.

Previously, prosecutors showed videos of robberies of the Wyandanch Post Office and a Far Rockaway jewelry story that Williams and Walker also allegedly orchestrated.

Randi Chavis, the attorney for Williams; and Glenn Obedin, the attorney for Walker, both deny that their clients are guilty, and say they are being set up by an array of admitted criminals lying to get lenient sentences.

Chavis, who began her cross-examination of Thompson late Tuesday, extracted an admission that he had previously committed 25 armed robberies. In some, shots were fired by accomplices and in others, victims were held up on the street because they looked prosperous.

And even under questioning by Treinis Gatz, Thompson acknowledged that he previously lied to prosecutors and judges about his involvement in this case and others.

Thompson, 35, faces a minimum of 45 years in prison, unless the government successfully asks a judge to give him a lesser sentence for his current cooperation.

When Treinis Gatz asked him why he should be believed now, considering his past history, Thompson replied: "I don't want to die in jail. I'll get a chance to see my children [with cooperation]." Otherwise, he said, "My life will be over. I'll never see the light of day again."

Prosecutors said that the Williams and Walker crew made $53,000 between January and March of 2010 by sticking up the banks, including $25,000 from a Chase branch in Oakdale Gardens, and $11,600 from a Queens Savings Bank in Bellerose.

If convicted, Williams and Walker could spend the rest of their lives in prison.