Suspect proclaims innocence in Brooklyn baby's death ahead of arraignment as family attends burial
EAST WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The two suspects charged with second-degree murder in the deadly shooting of a 7-month-old baby girl in Brooklyn are being arraigned this week.
Suspects Amuri Greene and Matthew Rodriguez are accused of killing 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore in her stroller in East Williamsburg.
Rodriguez was arraigned Tuesday and Greene is expected to be arraigned Wednesday.
As Rodriguez was walked out of the 90th Precinct on Tuesday morning, he professed his innocence 15 times.
"I didn't do it, I didn't know it was going to happen...it's not my fault, I didn't pull the trigger," he told awaiting reporters.
The 18-year-old could also be heard yelling from inside a police vehicle, essentially admitting he was driving the scooter as Greene allegedly started firing recklessly.
"We're going to serve notice, of all his statements, we're going to make sure that, that his statements said he identified himself as being a part of this crime," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
He continued to explain himself as he hung his head low and looked anguished as he entered the Brooklyn courtroom.
When prosecutors said the baby's name, Rodriguez dropped his head further, appearing to sob as the details of the crime were presented to the court.
Rodriguez is facing the same second-degree murder charge as the alleged shooter.
"The theory is that they acted together to commit this crime, that he assisted by driving him," Gonzalez said. "He assisted by taking off after the shooting. He assisted because after the crash, he picked up the firearm. And that firearm has not been recovered."
There was a large turnout Monday night for the baby's funeral where Reverend Al Sharpton gave her eulogy.
On Tuesday morning, a white horse-drawn carriage carried the baby's remains in a Minnie Mouse casket from her home to her final resting place, leading a 30-vehicle procession.
"It's a painful day, I was at the funeral yesterday and one thing that I have to say is it's heartbreaking that we're burying a baby today," Gonzalez said. "We are going to hold people accountable for this crime and we're going to get justice for this family."
The suspects are also charged in the shooting of the victim's 2-year-old brother, who was grazed by a bullet.
Greene was taken to the hospital and into custody after the shooting and Rodriguez got away but was later found, arrested and extradited to New York.
ALSO READ | Mother of 7-month-old baby shot and killed in Brooklyn wants to set record straight
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