Natalie Cuesta, the grieving daughter of a Manhattan woman shot to death by a neighbor months after being arrested for breaking into her apartment and later released on bail, sat firmly in court as her mother’s alleged killer faced accusations of murder.
Cuesta, 32, watched from the second row of the courtroom gallery, surrounded by supporters, as Lenue Moore31, pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder in connection with the killing of Jackie Billini, Levaunghn Harvin and their dog in Washington Heights in September.
Moore, with his hands cuffed, was wearing an orange City Department of Corrections jacket and a blue surgical mask. He maintained his composure without showing visible emotion as he faced the judge during the brief hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Deputy District Attorney Joshua Steinglass reported on an “overwhelming” amount of evidence in the casewhich includes surveillance videos that are being reviewed by investigators.
Reaction to bail
Cuesta, 32, told The Post this week that he was sorry to see Moore released on modest bail after allegedly raiding his mother’s apartment and attacking her in Aprilbreaking his arm by breaking down the door, it was like receiving “a slap in the face”.
Months later, on September 29, Moore allegedly ambushed Billini, 57, Harvin, 42, and their dog Zeus at the corner of 161st Street and Edgecombe Avenue, shooting them dead with 9 mm bullets, according to the criminal complaint.
The murders apparently arose from a dispute between Billini, Moore and their motherwho lived across the hall from the victim’s apartment on West 163rd Street.
The dispute appears to have started earlier this year, when neighbors claimed that Moore tried to kick one of Billini’s dogs, annoyed by its barking.
In February, Zeus the pit bull was stabbed, and Cuesta said the family suspected, but couldn’t prove, that Moore was responsible.
On April 11, Moore allegedly tried to break down the door of Billini’s apartmentbreaking his arm, punching Cuesta in the face, and attacking Cuesta’s boyfriend in the head with a hammer.
Moore was charged with home invasion and assault, but was released when a Manhattan judge set his bail at $5,000, meaning he only needed to post $500 to be released as the case moved forward. court.
“This is a fucking joke”Cuesta previously commented on the handling of the case, but did not comment after Tuesday’s hearing.
Moore was on the run for nearly a month before being arrested in Brooklyn on October 26 and sent to Rikers Island. without the right to bail.
He was accused of one count of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, as well as one count of animal cruelty and aggravated criminal contempt.
Under New York State law, a murder charge is elevated to first degree if certain factors exist, including whether the victim was a witness against the defendant in a previous incidentas was the case with Billini in the previous raid and assault case.
During Tuesday’s hearing, both cases were combined, and Moore is expected to return to court on December 7. His lawyer from the Legal Aid Society declined to comment.
“Two beloved New Yorkers have lost their lives, and my thoughts are with their family members who are completely devastated in their continued grief.”Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
Billini was part of the same system that failed her, according to her daughter. She was an analyst at the Bronx state court.
“My mother believed in the justice system,” Questa previously told The Post. “But what happened to us? We did everything the right way. We didn’t retaliate, we didn’t do anything. We let the judicial system do its job, and look what happened to my mother.”
2023-11-25 01:35:00
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