BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the execution-style killing of a livery cab driver in East New York, prosecutors announced Friday.
Terrence Reece, 32, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, was convicted of first-degree murder following a jury trial on January 31. Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino imposed the maximum sentence.
“This defendant cruelly and needlessly executed [the victim] while trying to rob him,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. “My thoughts are with his heartbroken family and friends.”
According to prosecutors, on July 26, 2019, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Reece got into a cab driven by 29-year-old Noman Saleemi and argued over the fare before forcing the driver to a remote location near Atlantic Avenue and Williams Avenue. Reece then ordered Saleemi out of the vehicle, made him kneel, and shot him once in the cheek. After waiting for a period, he fired a second fatal shot into the back of Saleemi’s head.
Reece stole the victim’s wallet, which contained less than $100, and fled in the cab. He later abandoned the vehicle outside his wife’s residence and had her dispose of the murder weapon.
Investigators recovered DNA and fingerprints linking Reece to the crime. He was arrested on August 16, 2019, following further investigation.
The case was prosecuted with assistance from Homicide Paralegals John Homnick and Suleimy Santos.
