On April 27th, Brooklyn authorities responded to a stabbing right across the street from a neighborhood playground. The victim had been stabbed in the torso near an apartment rental agency. Tragically, the 52-year-old victim was declared deceased despite being rushed to the nearby Kings County hospital.

Responding officers immediately got to work investigating the crime. A person who was familiar with the area told authorities that the victim was known to hang out in the area right next to the crime scene because it was a drinking spot for many locals.

The area was also known to be a hub for street fights. 42-year-old Ramtin Taheri told investigators that he often picks up huge piles of empty beer cans around the murder scene. He also told investigators that the victim was known to frequently get into fights with another local, Nelson Reyes. The two men were often seen drinking together “morning to night.” Another unidentified witness also told authorities that the two men were friends and that they fought every day. They were typically friendly towards one another, but the witness confirmed that they got into it often when they were drinking.

Shortly after the stabbing, 43-year-old Nelson Reyes was arrested and charged with both murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Authorities declined to report whether the suspect was intoxicated at the time of his arrest.

olice confirmed that this slaying was the fifth homicide this year in the 83rd Precinct. That marks a big spike from last year when there were only two murders in 2024.

Facing Murder Charges in Brooklyn

Murder charges are the most serious type of criminal offense you can get charged with in Brooklyn. If you get charged with murder or any other type of incident involving a fatality, then it’s imperative that you reach out to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Without an attorney, you could potentially get sentenced to life in prison without having the opportunity to seek out parole. Murder in the first degree is a class A felony. At a minimum, you will get sentenced to 20 years in prison if you’re convicted. Second degree murder is a bit less serious, but it could still land you in prison for a minimum of 15 years.

In murder cases, there are a few factors that could influence the severity of your charges and penalties. These include your intent, whether the crime was premeditated, aggravating factors, and mitigating factors. In the situation above, the suspect’s mental state and possible intoxication might be considered mitigating factors. It could also be argued that the incident likely wasn’t premeditated, since the two got into heated arguments very frequently.

If you get hit with a similar charge, then it’s important to know that there are several types of defense strategies that you can use to your advantage. Contact an attorney to discuss your specific situation in more detail and develop an effective strategy to fight your charges.

Schedule a free case evaluation with our team of Brooklyn attorneys by leaving your contact details on our online form now.