A Queens man was held without bail after being arraigned Thursday on felony murder charges in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Hempstead on Jan. 30.
William Flowers, 31, of Rosedale, remained silent as Assistant District Attorney Carolyn Kelly described to the court the charges against him – a sole felony second-degree murder count for the death of 29-year-old James Warren.
Prosecutors allege Flowers fatally shot Warren on Jan. 30 in the rear of a Hempstead building. Flowers was arrested by Nassau County police detectives on Wednesday in Rhode Island, police said. Hempstead Village police initially found Warren “lying on the sidewalk” in the back of 600 Fulton Ave. on Jan. 30, police said at the time. He was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center, but was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
In court Thursday, Kelly requested Flowers to be held without bail, saying he was “an extraordinary flight risk,” noting his out-of-state capture. Flowers’ attorney from the Legal Aid Society asked the court to consider bail, noting he had no prior criminal history.
Judge Terence Murphy ordered Flowers remanded to the Nassau County Correctional Facility and explained that he would be assigned a court appointed attorney at his next appearance. The Legal Aid Society only represents murder clients for arraignment.
Outside the courtroom, Warren’s mother, Linda Young, held her composure as she explained the heartache her family has experienced since her son’s death. Consoled by her husband Wilkins, she said detectives told her that they believed her son was shot after some type of confrontation with Flowers. “They shot him in the back,” she said. “He was running away from the man with the gun.” Warren leaves behind two daughters, 11-year-old Nyallah and 9-year-old Ariyana, as well as 8-year-old Joshuah. “The kids are taking it really hard.”
Three unidentified relatives of Flowers were also in the courtroom during the arraignment. They declined to comment after the arraignment other than saying “We got nothing to say. He didn’t do nothing.”
Flowers is due back in court on Feb. 25.
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