Homicide

Four indicted for September 2021 Freeport murder and robbery

The defendants allegedly lured the victim to Freeport to steal cash at gunpoint; victim James Diamond just cashed $55,000 settlement check

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Jan. 14, 2022: Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the indictment of four individuals for the September 2021 shooting death and robbery of a man who had just received a settlement check of $55,000.

Eric Baldwin, 25, of Freeport, was arraigned on January 12, 2022 before Judge Terence P. Murphy on charges of murder in the second degree (an A-I felony); two counts of robbery in the first degree (a B violent felony); robbery in the second degree (a C violent felony); and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (a C violent felony).The defendant was remanded and is due back in court on February 1, 2022. If convicted of the top charge, he faces a potential sentence of 40 years to life in prison.

Todd Brant, 21, of Middle Island, and Corey Grier, 27, of Freeport, were arraigned today before Judge Murphy on charges of murder in the second degree (an A-I felony); two counts of robbery in the first degree (a B violent felony); and robbery in the second degree (a C violent felony).

Brant, who was also charged with tampering with physical evidence (an E felony), was remanded and is due back in court February 8, 2022. Grier, who was additionally charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (a C violent felony), was remanded and is due back in court February 10, 2022.  If convicted of the top charge, Brant faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison and Grier face a maximum of 40 years to life in prison.

Anyibel Madera, 23, of Freeport, was arraigned on January 3, 2022 before Judge Murphy on charges of tampering with physical evidence (an E felony); criminal facilitation in the fourth degree (an A misdemeanor); and hindering prosecution in the second degree (an E felony). If convicted of the top charge, Madera faces up to four years in prison. She is due back in court on February 16, 2022.

“The defendants allegedly learned that James Diamond had just received a large amount of money as a result of a lawsuit settlement and saw an opportunity for a payday for themselves,” DA Donnelly said. “After Diamond cashed the check, the defendants held him up at gunpoint and the victim was shot once in the chest as he struggled with his assailants. Detectives spent weeks investigating this case, canvassing for video and tracking the defendant’s cell phones, to make these arrests.”

According to the indictment, on September 10, 2021, the deceased, James Diamond, and a friend, drove to a law firm in Long Beach to pick up a check for $55,000.00, that Diamond was awarded as part of a lawsuit.

After receiving the check, the pair picked up Corey Grier and drove to a check cashing business. Grier then directed them in their vehicle to South Bay Avenue in Freeport and Diamond and his friend left to attempt to deposit the cash at a nearby bank.

Grier allegedly called Eric Baldwin and Todd Brant to meet him at South Bay Avenue. Baldwin, allegedly driven by his girlfriend, Anyibel Madera, and Brant both met Grier.

When Diamond and his friend returned to the location, Baldwin, and another male passenger from Brant’s vehicle, allegedly took Diamond and his friend out of their vehicle at gunpoint. A struggle ensued, and Diamond was shot once in the abdomen. Baldwin allegedly took Diamond’s bag filled with cash and fled. Diamond was later pronounced deceased at South Nassau Communities Hospital.

After the shooting, Madera allegedly returned her license plates and sold the vehicle.

Brant was arrested by detectives of the Nassau County Police Department’s Bureau of Special Operations in Middle Island on November 3, 2021.

Baldwin was arrested by NCPD Homicide detectives in East Meadow on November 3, 2021.Grier was arrested by NCPD Homicide detectives in Bayshore on November 3, 2021. Madera was arrested by NCPD Homicide detectives on November 4, 2021.

The investigation into the additional male co-conspirator is ongoing.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Nicole Aloise of the Homicide Bureau. Brant is represented by Jason Russo, Esq. and Steve Gaitman, Esq. Baldwin is represented by Jeff Groder, Esq. Grier is represented by Justin Feinman, Esq. Madera is represented by Bruce Barket, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.