Trial for Harlem Gang Assault Murder Ends with One-Day Guilty Verdicts on All Counts

Trial for Harlem Gang Assault Murder Ends with One-Day Guilty Verdicts on All Counts by Matthew & Russell Lee, Patreon Substack 100 CENTRE ST, Aug 10 – Three defendants charged in connection with the death of Jervey Barfield back in May 2025 are in trial before Justice Cori H. Weston in 100 Centre Street, in a courtroom more full than usual (including Inner City Press).    On August 3 an NYPD witness was asked about various video angles, from the sidewalk in front of a deli to an elevator lobby, all leading to the death. Two of the defendants are charged with murder, the other with manslaughter. All three are charged with gang assault. From the thread: Judge Weston: Jurors, I have to tell you, if you feel sleepy, let us know and we'll take a break... Also, you can't talk with each other during the videos. [Video shown of Harlem Street] ADA: What time is this? NYPD Witness: 5:10 am, at 310 East 143rd Street...  ADA: What is at 2657 Eighth Avenue? NYPD witness: A deli. We have video from there. ADA: Play it. [Time stamp starts 5:06 am-  figure shoved onto street in front of deli, struggles to stand up] Cross examination:  Defense lawyer: Did you come to ID the people involved in these videos? NYPD witness: I was not involved in that... Defense: You know the neighborhood? NYPD witness: Yes... Defense lawyer: You don't know if this building requires a key? NYPD witness: I do not. Defense: At some point in the video someone takes a swing- ADA: Objection! The jurors saw the video, they don't need a narration. Judge: Sustained. Defense: So put up the video again. Who is this? NYPD Witness: The decedent. Defense: And who is standing in front? In the black T-shirt? NYPD witness: I don't know their names.  Defense: Who's the female, in the headband? NYPD witness: I don't know  Defense: Let's go to TARU 6B as in boy.... Judge: Say what time it is Defense: 5:06, 6 seconds. That's the deceased with his back to us? NYPD witness: Yes.  Defense: Who throws the first punch at him? NYPD witness: I don't know. I'm not on Detective Smith's team  Defense: Who's that, the girl in the headband by the elevator? NYPD witness: Same as the one outside. Defense: Here, there's a hand reaching up- ADA: Objection! Judge: Sustained. Defense: Just play the video [Played] Nothing further     Was it wise for the prosecution to bring in the video with a witness who could not identify the assailants? If he can't, will the jurors? On August 6, Detective Smith himself was on the stand. Beyond the video, photos of the defendants and their clothing were introduced as well as a clearer depiction of the murder itself: the defendant was knocked down, got up, then a final stab or jab. A car drove to Southern Boulevard in the Bronx - but who was in it? The destination was presented as the residence of one of the defendants. Reference to an iCard on another person in the video led to an objection, sustained. Justice Weston told the jurors to enjoy the weekend and its weather - but not to discuss the case. On Monday the jurors returned and heard the closing argument. The prosecutors brought their story together: a late night get-together of the three defendants, the victim, and others. An argument leading to a fight on the sidewalk in front of a deli. Twelve minutes of the victim walking the streets; an attack by the defendants, featuring twelve knife wounds, one severing the victim's spine, and two punches to the head.   The central dispute in the case seems to be the intent to kill of the duo charged with murder, and the intent to cause serious injury of the manslaughter defendant. The ADA laid out the law on acting in concert and causation, also answering the defense lawyers' arguments that the victim had been injured in the earlier fight involving one Robert Champion, previously linked in the case to an iCard. The lack of an eyewitness remained out there - but the video, the prosecutor said, doesn't lie. On August 11 the three defendants were found guilty on all counts. Sentencings are set for September 29. Inner City Press coverage - including of People v Mangione now with overflow courtroom with video, over the objection of the DA's Office - will continue. *** Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron. Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com Mail: Box 130222, Chinatown Station, NY NY 10013 Other, earlier Inner City Press are listed here, and some are available in the ProQuest service, and now on Lexis-Nexis.  Copyright 2006-2026 Inner City Press, Inc. To request reprint or other permission, e-contact Editorial [at] innercitypress.com