BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO TWELVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR HIS ROLE IN A GUNFIGHT IN WHICH TWO INNOCENT BYSTANDERS WERE KILLED

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that Duval Thorpe has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for participating in a gunfight that resulted in the deaths of two innocent bystanders.

Thorpe, 35, of 4429 Ely Avenue, the Bronx, pled guilty on September 15, 2003 to one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, a Class C felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to fifteen years imprisonment.

Under terms of the plea agreement, State Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Bernstein sentenced Thorpe to a term of twelve years imprisonment for carrying an unlicensed loaded firearm on the street with the intent to use it.

Thorpe admitted firing his weapon in self defense after another man, Kenroy Hinds, 24, starting shooting at him first. The incident occurred on November 19, 2001 near the intersection of White Plains Road and Rosewood Street in the Olinville section of the Bronx. Bystanders Romel Jenkins, 5, of the Bronx, and Sergio Carmago, 25, of Phoenix, Arizona were killed by stray bullets.

Hinds, who initiated the gunfight, pled guilty to two counts of Murder in the 2nd degree and was sentenced, on October 9, 2003, to a term of 23 years to life imprisonment.

Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Theresa Gottlieb prosecuted the case against both defendants.