BRONX MAN FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER IN AN EXECUTION STYLE SHOOTING IN JUNE 2004

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 34 year old Bronx man has been convicted of murder for shooting a man to death as the victim sat behind the wheel of his car.

Derrick Garcia, of 960 Grand Concourse, was found guilty on one count of Murder in the 2nd degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree and is facing a maximum sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment. State Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle has set sentencing for Thursday, April 5, 2007 in Part T4.

Stephen Miranda, 21, was shot to death in his car at the intersection of Claflin Avenue and 195th Street on June 22, 2004. Miranda was waiting for a red light to change to green when a sport utility vehicle drove in front of his car and blocked his path. Garcia got out of the SUV and fired nine shots at Miranda. Miranda was struck six times in the heart, back and head. Police intercepted the SUV at Sedgwick Avenue and Giles Place, about four blocks from the scene of the shooting. Garcia was found sitting in the front passenger seat in the process of dismantling the murder weapon, a 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Garcia’s driver, Robert Melendez, testified against him and acknowledged that there had been “bad blood” between Garcia and Miranda.

Melendez, 23, of 2565 Grand Concourse, pled guilty to one count of Criminal Facilitation in the 2nd degree and is to be sentenced to a term of 7 years imprisonment on March 22, 2007.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Allen Karen and Assistant District Attorney Louis Mendys.