By Joi-Marie McKenzie Jim Totten walks into City Journey’s workroom wearing construction boots. His shirt is tucked into his teal uniform. It’s important to keep your shirt tucked in, he says, so it won’t get caught in a saw. The workshop has a particular smell — a dusty mix of American Black Walnut, Mahogany and...
Author: Joi-Marie McKenzie (Joi-Marie McKenzie)
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November 29, 2010November 30, 2010Brooklyn Life
Brooklyn Morning – Columbus Park Evangelists
by Joi-Marie McKenzie On the corner of Joralemon and Court Street right outside of Columbus Park, two African-American men dressed in black evangelized to passersby. A young man wearing a blue backpack and Brooklyn Dodgers cap stopped to listen to the duo. They preached holding two worn bibles tightly in their hands while the young...
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November 23, 2010November 23, 2010Brooklyn Life
Lunch, a Call, Then a Plea for Leniency
By Joi-Marie McKenzie
A court officer walks off of the elevator of the Kings County Courthouse onto the 19th floor.
"Do you want a table for that," he asks William Martin, a defense attorney.
"Oh no. I'm fine. I don't want to get too comfortable," Martin replies. The officer chuckles loudly and walks into a courtroom.
At 2 p.m., Martin is finally taking his lunch. Wearing a yellow polka dot bow tie and grey suit, he hunches over, slurping noodle soup. He sneezes and grabs a tissue to wipe his nose.
On one end of the hallway is a breathtaking view of the Brooklyn Bridge. Martin sits close to the window to take in the view while reading The New York Times. On the other end of the hallway is the courtroom where his client Marien Theophile Mbossa Kargu, 40, will learn his fate.
Kargu, a native of the Republic of Congo, was charged with killing Antonio Guzzardi, 34, in September, 2001 by beating him to death in an apartment they shared with their girlfriends in Sunset Park. He was convicted of manslaughter in the second degree.
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November 9, 2010November 9, 2010Live Wire
Brooklyn Residents Can Hear Rats Inside Infested Building
Fed up neighbors of an abandoned Greenpoint home can hear rats scratching through the walls. It’s leaving neighbors scared day and night. Although many government agencies have been contacted to clean up this vermin issue, little has been done because they were unsure of the owner. Apparently the home, at 270 Eckford St., has been...
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November 9, 2010November 9, 2010Live Wire
Elderly Brooklyn Man Suffering From Dementia Goes Missing
The New York Police Deparment needs help in locating Robert Mcfarlane, 80, who has gone missing from his home at 111 Truxton Street. He was last seen on Monday, Nov. 8 at 6:00 a.m. Mcfarlane suffers from dementia. Mcfarlane, a Hispanic man, 5’6″ tall and weighs 132lbs. He has a medium complexion, brown eyes, grey...
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November 9, 2010November 9, 2010Live Wire
Brooklyn Mother Charged with Murder in Death of 4-Year-Old Child
The mother of a malnourished 4-year-old child, who only weighed 18 pounds at the time of her death, was charged with murder in the second degree. Carlotta Brett-Pierce, 30, called police to report that her daughter, Marchella, was unconscious. She is also charged with manslaughter in the first degree after the medical examiner ruled the...
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November 9, 2010November 9, 2010Live Wire
Police Search For Suspect in Botched Capitol One Robbery
The New York City Police Department needs help in identifying a robbery suspect near Borough Hall. Police are looking for an African-American male, between the ages of 35-45, 6’0″ tall and 180-200lbs, wanted for an attempted robbery Capitol One at 356 Fulton Street. The man entered the bank on Monday, Nov. 8 at 10:15 a.m....
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November 9, 2010November 9, 2010Live Wire
Park Slope Owners Fight Off Robbers
Store owner Mohammed Esa fought off a knife-carrying robber with a trashcan. The robber attempted to clean out his cash register that contained nearly $500. Esa is the owner of New Star Tobacco Smoke Shop on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn. [NY Post]
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November 9, 2010November 9, 2010Live Wire
Williamsburg Woman Falls in Sidewalk Hole
Philippa Kaye of Williamsburg sunk into a sidewalk hole when she was walking on Flatbush and Fifth avenues. Kaye was headed to the New York City Marathon on Sunday when she fell in. The Department of Environmental Protection were dispatched to the scene on Monday to begin preparations. Residents there says the whole has been...
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November 9, 2010November 9, 2010Live Wire
Police Ask for Help in the Fur Store Robbery
The New York City Police Department is asking for any information concerning a robbery at the the Mazari Fur Store, 161 Brighton 11 St. On Nov. 2, three suspects stole two fur coats. When a store employee confronted the robbers, they assaulted her and fled the scene. The suspects are two African-American females and an...