WHITE PLAINS – Two men and two women have been indicted by a Westchester County grand jury on charges related to a plan to murder a witness in a pending criminal case, a plan devised from inside the Westchester County Jail.
“G-Shine Bloods” gang members Jason Garcia, 26, of Mount Vernon, and Damien Rikard, also known as Damien Richardson, also known as “Soldier,” 31, of Elmsford, along with Cassaundra Dunham, also known as “Saun,” 34, of Yonkers, and Laquanna Kershaw, also known as “Q,” and “Quanna,” 31, of Ossining were indicted for attempted murder, conspiracy and other charges related to their attempts to murder an eyewitness.
That underlying case charges Garcia and a co-defendant with attempted murder for a shooting at the Garden Bar in Mount Vernon on December 10, 2016. Two victims were shot and permanently injured. That case was set to begin trial soon.
According to the indictment, Garcia and a co-defendant, while in the Westchester County Jail, conspired to commit murder. Kershaw and Dunham were “girlfriends” of Garcia who were allowed to visit the jail and, in person and through phone calls, conspired with their co-defendants.
While on release on an unrelated case, Rickard was recruited by his co-conspirators to find and kill the witness.
“A witness to a crime should never fear coming forward,” said District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. “We do everything we can to ensure their safety and this case proves that.”
