Reduced charge in Woodmere man's death
Undated handout photo of Jeff Locker. (July 16, 2009) Credit: handout
Prosecutors say they’ll pursue a lower murder charge against a man accused of killing a motivational speaker from Woodmere who apparently wanted to die.
Manhattan prosecutors concede that victim Jeffrey Locker had money problems and took out $18 million in life insurance to benefit his family after his death.
They now believe he voluntarily gave suspect Kenneth Minor his ATM card and pin number before he was stabbed in July 2009.
Minor says he was paid to help the victim kill himself and make it look like a robbery.
Prosecutors said Wednesday that they’ll prosecute Minor on a second-degree murder charge, instead of first-degree murder.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Casolaro said the case would not qualify for a manslaughter prosecution under New York’s assisted suicide statute.
Minor has pleaded not guilty.
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