Editor's note: After this article was published, the Public Relations Coordinator at CNN reached out and asked LET to make a correction, as only one of their anchors, Poppy Harlow, celebrated the murderer Capers' release, not Kasie Hunt as we originally reported. LET apologizes for this error.
NEW YORK, NY - Shamel Capers, 25, is a Brooklyn ex-convict who was released from a 15-year to life murder sentence by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz after just eight years. He is now behind bars once again on charges connected to the murder of 19-year-old Joshua Taylor.
According to reports from The New York Post, Taylor was allegedly gunned down by Capers in a fatal "four-way shootout" in Queens in the early morning hours of July 22nd.
The Post wrote that Capers and two other men identified as Dante Hunter, 25, and Damone Miller, 21, were involved in a shootout with Taylor near St. John's Cemetary that began with Taylor throwing a drink at Capers and his friend. A confrontation quickly broke out with guns being drawn and ended with Taylor dead and over two dozen 9mm rounds expended.
The violent episode was widely reported in July, but later reporting revealed Capers' involvement and his release from prison a mere nine months before following his 2016 conviction in the shooting death of 15-year-old D’aja Robinson.
Capers' release was covered extensively by CNN and celebrated by CNN anchor Poppy Harlow.
The prosecutor claimed that co-defendant, Kevin Clinton was the lone shooter. While they acknowledge that Capers shot at the bus, they stated that Clinton took the gun and continued firing, striking D'aja.
“In the case of D’Aja Robinson’s murder, an exhaustive investigation and newly discovered evidence led us to conclude that Shamel Capers had been wrongfully convicted,” Katz said in a statement. Referring to Clinton she added, "The court agreed and the conviction was vacated. The defendant responsible for Robinson’s murder is in prison serving a sentence of 25 years to life.”
Robinson's mother disagreed with Capers' release according to WPIX-TV News, at the time telling reporters, "I’m numb, I can’t believe that that is happening.”
A source within law enforcement told The Post, “The district attorney was too quick to overturn the previous charge. Hopefully, she will work a little harder on the latest arrest.” Another suggested that Katz herself should be indicted saying "she has blood on her hands.”
NEW YORK, NY - Shamel Capers, 25, is a Brooklyn ex-convict who was released from a 15-year to life murder sentence by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz after just eight years. He is now behind bars once again on charges connected to the murder of 19-year-old Joshua Taylor.
According to reports from The New York Post, Taylor was allegedly gunned down by Capers in a fatal "four-way shootout" in Queens in the early morning hours of July 22nd.
The Post wrote that Capers and two other men identified as Dante Hunter, 25, and Damone Miller, 21, were involved in a shootout with Taylor near St. John's Cemetary that began with Taylor throwing a drink at Capers and his friend. A confrontation quickly broke out with guns being drawn and ended with Taylor dead and over two dozen 9mm rounds expended.
The violent episode was widely reported in July, but later reporting revealed Capers' involvement and his release from prison a mere nine months before following his 2016 conviction in the shooting death of 15-year-old D’aja Robinson.
Capers' release was covered extensively by CNN and celebrated by CNN anchor Poppy Harlow.
Robinson was traveling on the Q6 bus in Queens when she was allegedly hit by stray gunfire from Capers after leaving her Sweet 16 birthday party in 2013. The Queens DA moved to release Capers in November 2022 after a witness in the trial admitted to lying about the case.Shamel Capers spent eight years behind bars for a murder he insisted he didn’t commit. Now, a Conviction Integrity Unity in the Queen’s District Attorney’s office has helped exonerate him, and he has a new chance at life. @poppyharlowcnn, @mattreynardcnn & @will_simon16 report. pic.twitter.com/ypCgA9vTXj
— CNN This Morning with Kasie Hunt (@CNNThisMorning) August 29, 2023
The prosecutor claimed that co-defendant, Kevin Clinton was the lone shooter. While they acknowledge that Capers shot at the bus, they stated that Clinton took the gun and continued firing, striking D'aja.
“In the case of D’Aja Robinson’s murder, an exhaustive investigation and newly discovered evidence led us to conclude that Shamel Capers had been wrongfully convicted,” Katz said in a statement. Referring to Clinton she added, "The court agreed and the conviction was vacated. The defendant responsible for Robinson’s murder is in prison serving a sentence of 25 years to life.”
Robinson's mother disagreed with Capers' release according to WPIX-TV News, at the time telling reporters, "I’m numb, I can’t believe that that is happening.”
A source within law enforcement told The Post, “The district attorney was too quick to overturn the previous charge. Hopefully, she will work a little harder on the latest arrest.” Another suggested that Katz herself should be indicted saying "she has blood on her hands.”
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments