BRONX MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 23 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of manslaughter in stabbing death of a 48 year-old Bronx man.

Mark Lewis, aka "Finess", of 2760 Grand Concourse, pled guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the 1st degree, in the death of Gerald Gilliard. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Lewis was promised a determinate sentence of 25 years imprisonment. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Megan Tallmer set sentencing for Monday, November 28, 2005 in Part T22.

Co-defendants Priscilla Ortega, 21, of 2522 University Avenue and Taylor Colon, 19, aka "Alize", of 2760 Grand Concourse, are currently awaiting trial, and have each been charged with one count of Murder in the 2nd degree and one count of Burglary in the first degree.

Gilliard was killed in his apartment on March 1, 2004. Lewis admitted stabbing Gilliard multiple times during an attempted robbery. According to the investigation, Gilliard had invited Ortega, a female acquaintance, to his apartment for a visit. Ortega allegedly went to Gilliard’s home accompanied by a second woman, her friend Colon. When the two women left the apartment they allegedly contacted Lewis and devised a plan to rob Gilliard of his valuables. Colon allegedly returned to the victim’s apartment that same night after calling him to ask if he would like company. Colon’s assignment was to distract Gilliard while Lewis and Ortega entered the apartment to remove the valuables. Gilliard was stabbed seven times when he heard a noise in another room and left Colon to investigate.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Troy Smith and Laura Perlman of the Trial Bureau.