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Wilmer Maldonado Rodriguez, who was allegedly attacked by nine members of the gang in 2018 when he intervened from them intimidating two teenagers, was found dead.
Rodriguez was scheduled to testify against the gang members, who were arrested due to his interference in the 2018 assault. He was found dead on Sunday, Feb. 2, State Police said. His body was discovered behind an abandoned home in New Cassel on Broadway.
Reportedly, gang members in jail contacted people not incarcerated to commit the crime. It has led to a furor in the community.
"In October 2018, Wilmer Maldonado intervened when two boys were allegedly threatened by MS-13 members and he was senselessly attacked, struck with a bat in the head and suffered multiple stab wounds,” Maldonado’s attorney said in a statement. “This courageous man was prepared to testify against his alleged assailants at an upcoming trial, but he was brutally beaten to death before he could.
“The prosecution protected this victim's identity by obtaining a protective order in December of 2018, but his identity was disclosed pursuant to a judge's order in December 2019. This case underscores the importance of safeguarding the identities of witnesses and victims of crime.”
Maldonado's death has led to furor throughout the community.
Nassau County officials released a statement on their own regarding the homicide and investigation, noting that new discovery laws may have helped lead to Maldonado’s death.
“I want to send my deepest condolences to the family of Wilmer Maldonado.
"These new discovery requirements pose a threat to both the victims and witnesses of crimes. Nassau County has worked hard to build trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve, and this law now undercuts that trust. Our communities will be scared to report crimes or talk to law enforcement. We cannot let another murder happen because a witness may have been disclosed.”
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said that “the system failed. This man is dead because we didn’t do enough, and this law is not helping us.”
"This courageous man was prepared to testify against his alleged assailants at an upcoming trial, but he was brutally beaten to death before he could," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement. "This case underscores the importance of safeguarding the identities of witnesses and victims of crime and our hearts are with Mr. Maldonado’s family and friends as we grieve his loss.
Ryder later noted that “as I indicated at my press conference, there is no direct link between the death of Wilmer Maldonado Rodriguez and criminal justice reform. The information and facts of the case that I provided are accurate.”
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