Family, Friends in Harlem React to Young Man’s Sentencing for Gang-related Murder, Crimes

Photos by Marco Poggio

Taylonn Murphy Jr. at his sentencing Friday afternoon.

New York — On Friday, Manhattan Justice Edward McLaughlin sentenced Taylonn Murphy Jr. to 50 years to life for the 2011 murder of Walter Sumter. Murphy was also convicted of conspiracy, robbery and weapons charges.

JJIE New York Metro Bureau logoMurphy Jr., 20, was one of 103 young men and teenagers who were swept up early on a June morning in 2014 in what was then the largest raid in the New York City Police Department’s history. The Manhattan district attorney's office said the violence between rival crews from the Grant and Manhattanville Houses resulted in the shooting deaths of both of Murphy's sister, Tayshana, and Sumter.

[Related: Basketball Tournament Honors Slain Harlem Teen Tayshana ‘Chicken’ Murphy]

In a victim impact statement, Sumter's father forgave Murphy but did not minimize the impact his son's death has had on his family.

"It is not just my wife and I that lost our only son," he said. "Walter was a brother to his sister and an uncle to his niece and nephews."

After the hearing, court officers escorted Sumter's family out of the courtroom. They declined to comment.

The parents of the victims in Murphy trial about to enter the court room at Manhattan Supreme Court.

The parents of Walter Sumpter are about to enter the court room for the sentencing of Taylonn Murphy Jr., who was convicted of murdering their son.

Speaking before issuing the sentence, Judge Edward McClaughlin admonished Murphy for what he called "narcissistic and egomaniacal gang behavior" that lead to Sumter's death — and criticized Murphy for wearing rosary beads during the trial. He also told Murphy not to expect visits from the many friends and family who filled the courtroom, sobbing as the judge admonished Murphy's family and community.

The courtroom was filled to capacity. Outside young men, many of them teenagers, waited for the outcome of the hearing. Some of Sumter’s friends wore laminated pictures of him around their necks. The friends of Murphy Jr. walked over and talked to Sumter's supporters while a group of court officers watched, some of them with their thumbs hooked through their bullet-proof vests.

The judge had ordered additional security to his courtroom for the sentencing. Taylonn Murphy Sr. described it as theater on McLaughlin's part since there had never been any disruption during his son's trial.

The elder Murphy spoke to the 20 or so young people who had come to support his son. He said he wanted to use his son's fate as a learning experience and discourage them from using use it as a pretense for more violence.

Photos by Marco Poggio

Taylonn Murphy Jr. listened to a statement from the father of the victim he was found guilty of murdering.

"Let's use this energy to prove them wrong on what they were saying about the community," he said. "No disrespect to your honor, but I don't know if he's been in our community, or has he seen our community, or understand the plights we have in our community."

Murphy Sr. said they convicted and sentenced his son with no physical evidence. Outside of 100 Centre St. Murphy looked to the courthouse across the street, where he sat through what he described as "two grueling trials" for his daughter's murder.

"It's hard to smile; I don't know how I do it sometimes," he said. "I've lost children to both sides of the gun. First Tayshana now my son. We're losing young people in droves."

More related articles: 

Blood Feud in Harlem Takes Young Lives, Hurts Community

Discord Among Parents in Wake of Harlem Raid

Few Harlem Youths at Planning Meeting Against Violence

6 thoughts on “Family, Friends in Harlem React to Young Man’s Sentencing for Gang-related Murder, Crimes

  1. I saw this story and started researching right away. No evidence what so ever and got a 50yr conviction. This is so sad and the system is so messed up. Anything to get a black man off the street, smh. I wish I could write him or have enough money to somehow get this overturned.

    • You should reach out to someone . A lawyer might take the case pro Bono and file and appeal

  2. He was over sentenced sadly was he in a gang I don’t see anything that says he was

  3. This breaks my heart. My prayers goes out to all the families.
    There is bad news and Good news. The bad news is that we rebelled against God and crowned ourselves. The bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God. Our sin has brought a curse on creation. Brokenness, pain, suffering, and sickness now touch all our lives. The final separation is perishing (die before getting right with God) and a godless eternity in hell separated from God the father. God doesn’t want anyone to perish though. Do you know what he did so we can be saved?…
    The Good news is that God sent His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus died on the cross and rose the 3rd day defeating death, sin, and the powers of darkness. He paid the debt for our rebellion against God and removes the curse of separation for ALL who believe, confess Him as Lord and put faith in Him. Jesus came to shine His light into our darkened hearts and help us live a pleasing life to God and to love one another and one day we will inherit His Kingdom.
    There is one thing for sure when we are born into this world, we all are going to leave this world one day. When? No one knows, not even the Dr’s can give an exact date. There is nothing we can do about it but get right with God through His Son Jesus. You wouldn’t jump a plane without a parachute, so put your trust in Jesus like you would a parachute. In other words, don’t jump (die) w/o Jesus. he is the ONLY salvation for your soul now and later! God sent His Spirit to open hearts and minds to this Good News and I pray it is you!💌 #timeisticking

  4. The system is backwards u give a young man 5o yrs without the proper evidence but the one that murdered chicken gets way less time with all the evidence u needed smh this system is so screwed up

  5. That is not Taylonn Murphy Jr. in the 3rd picture with Taylonn Murphy Sr. You should print a correction.