Hempstead man pleads guilty to murder, attempted robbery in Uniondale

A Hempstead man pleaded guilty on Oct. 1 to the murder of a 24-year-old man during an attempted robbery in Uniondale in 2021.

Khamari Elie, 20, of Hempstead, pleaded guilty to a slew of charges before Judge Tammy Robbins, including second-degree murder, attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. He also pleaded guilty to robbery, menacing and criminal mischief as part of a separate indictment.

Elie drove to 1001 Alexander Ave., Uniondale on Nov. 10, 2021, with Kyle Colthirst, 20, of Uniondale, Tariq Pitaud, 21, of West Babylon, and Tyrel Cason Jr., 21, of South Farmingdale, to allegedly rob Kyle Midtlyng, according to the Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

Pitaud allegedly lured Midtlyng there under the pretense of wanting to buy marijuana. Elie drove the four men to the address, Donnelly’s office said.

When they arrived, Donnelly alleged that Colthirst and Cason Jr. left the car to rob Midtlyng.

Colthirst allegedly shot Midtlyng once in the right side from the passenger side of Midtlyng’s car during the robbery attempt. The bullet pierced both of Midtlyng’s lungs and his aorta. Colthirst ran from the vehicle down Lee Road.

When police arrived, they reportedly found Midtlyng’s body lying in the middle of the street, where he was pronounced dead.

“Khamari Elie’s plea reflects his undeniable role in this violent crime,” Donnelly said in the news release. “Although he did not pull the trigger himself, this defendant accepted culpability for Kyle Midtlyng’s senseless death when he took part in planning the robbery and got behind the wheel to drive to Alexander Avenue that night where Kyle was fatally shot.”

Elie is due back in court on Nov. 6 to be sentenced. Donnelly’s office expects him to be sentenced to 17 years to life in prison. Donnelly recommended he be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Colthirst was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in April after he was convicted after a trial of second-degree murder, attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.

Cason Jr., was indicted and arraigned on Nov. 27, 2023, for second-degree murder, attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. His case is still pending, according to Donnelly.

Pitaud, was convicted for attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 1, 2024.