Notorious drug suspect convicted, after a decade
NEW YORK -- A decade after Damion Hardy, the leader of a New York City drug crew, was first accused of ordering the murders of six people, a jury found him guilty on all counts Wednesday, reports The New York Times.
Hardy, who allegedly led the Cash Money Brothers gang, which controlled a public housing development in Brooklyn, was convicted on 24 counts, including racketeering, distribution of cocaine, attempted murder, conspiracy, kidnapping and robbery. He is likely to face life in prison.
The case dragged on after Hardy's arrest in 2004, because he was found not competent to stand trial due to schizophrenia and delusional behavior, reports the New York Daily News.
While his case stalled, many of Hardy's associates pleaded guilty and cut deals with the government to testify against Hardy, the paper reported.
This month, Judge Frederic Block found that Hardy was mentally competent and ordered his trial to begin.
The New York Times reported that prosecutors said for more than a decade Hardy oversaw thousands of dollars in drug deals a day and engaged in a prolonged pattern of violence, including ordering murders.
Hardy will likely appeal the decision.