JUNE 18, 1998

16-YEAR-OLD CHARGED IN MURDER OF LIVERY CAB DRIVER IN BAYSIDE

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown today announced the arrest of a 16-year-old youth for the murder of a 42-year-old livery cab driver whose body was found early yesterday on a quiet residential street in Bayside.

District Attorney Brown, who characterized the crime as a "brutal and senseless murder of a hardworking livery driver," identified the defendant as Tae Yoon, 16, of 146-25 Georgia Rd., Flushing. He has been charged with two counts of murder in the second degree, attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

According to the District Attorney, the crime took place early yesterday morning in front of 204-41 47th Avenue in Bayside. District Attorney Brown said, "The defendant and three others, who have not yet been arrested, were together Tuesday night playing pool in Flushing when they ran out of money and allegedly decided to rob a cab driver. Thereafter, it is charged, they agreed that the defendant Yoon would call for a livery cab to pick him up in Flushing and take him to 47th Avenue in Bayside where his three accomplices would meet him and rob the driver."

"It is charged further," said the District Attorney, "that when Hyong Kyu Kim, the driver of a 1995 Lincoln Town Car and the defendant arrived at the address, the defendant took out a gun, demanded money and grabbed Mr. Kim around the neck. There was a struggle and the defendant shot Mr. Kim in the right side of the neck. The bullet entered and went through Mr. Kim's neck, killing him and exiting and grazing the defendant's left arm. When the defendant later sought treatment for his wound at North Shore University Hospital, staff at the Hospital summoned the police."

District Attorney Brown commended the work of Detective James Lyons of the 111th Precinct Squad who carried out the investigation and arrested the defendant.

Assistant District Attorney Patricia M. Theodorou of District Attorney Brown's Homicide Investigations Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Peter T. Reese and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crime Gregory L. Lasak, is assigned to the case.

It is to be noted that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.