NYC man faces federal gun charges in J’Ouvert killing of Cuomo aide
A reputed gang member acquitted of murder charges in the 2015 killing of an aide to former Gov. Cuomo will face a new trial this week, connected to the Brooklyn slaying.
Stanley Elianor, 31, was one of several gangbangers involved in a deadly shootout outside the Ebbets Fields Houses in Crown Heights during the J’Ouvert festivities before the Caribbean Day Parade on Sept. 7, 2015, federal prosecutors allege.
Cuomo aide Carey Gabay was struck in the head by a stray bullet — which authorities have said was sparked by a turf war between the 8-Trey Crips, Hoodstarz and Folk Nation gangs.
Elianor, an accused Folk Nation gang member faces charges in Brooklyn Federal Court of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Jury selection wrapped up on Tuesday and opening arguments are slated to begin before Judge Edward Korman on Wednesday.
A state Supreme Court jury in Brooklyn found two Folk Nation gang members, Micah Alleyne and Kenny Bazille, guilty of manslaughter after a 12-week trial in 2018, but acquitted Elianor and another defendant, Keith Luncheon, of murder and other charges.
The jury did find Elianor guilty of reckless endangerment — which brought him a sentence of three-and-a-half to seven years behind bars.
A fifth suspect in the shooting, Folk Nation turncoat Tyshawn Crawford, pleaded guilty and testified against his former partners in crime in exchange for a 14-year prison term.
In August 2020, federal prosecutors compounded Elianor’s trouble, with an indictment that alleges he was in the mix, carrying a loaded .45-caliber Masterpiece Arms during the shootout. The gun was later found, and it had Elianor’s DNA on it, prosecutors allege.
Elianor was already a felon when Gabay was killed, he was convicted of robbery in 2006, and attempted weapon possession in 2009, according to court filings.
That means he’s on the hook for federal gun possession charges, and the possibility of 10 years behind bars.
Elianor’s lawyer, Gary Farrell, tried to have the federal case dismissed for “vindictive prosecution,” but Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Margo Brodie denied that motion last year, pointing out that Farrell provided no evidence of vindictiveness.
