MINEOLA, N.Y. – Two alleged gang members, Taiquan Cullum, 33, and Deion Barros, 27, were indicted for the 2019 murder of a 36-year-old man in Hempstead.
Both men were arraigned before Judge Helene Gugerty. Cullum and Barros pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody. They face up to 40 years to life in prison if convicted.
According to charges, the murder occurred on July 28, 2019, and was allegedly a retaliatory act against Paul LaRue, who had been with someone who earlier attempted to kill Cullum.
The defendants allegedly shot LaRue while he was stopped at a red light in his vehicle.
Both defendants are due back in court later in September. The case was put together through extensive investigation by the Nassau County Police Department and the district attorney’s office.