Murderer in the Court: Felix Charged With 2nd Degree Of Murder, Kidnapping of Menachem Stark

Kendel Felix, the 26-year-old man charged in the case of Williamsburg businessman Reb Menachem Stark z”l, appeared this afternoon before a judge in a Brooklyn courtroom. He was ordered held without bail.

Felix was charged with murder in the 2nd degree and kidnapping in the 2nd degree, according to court papers.

Prosecutors told the court that Felix acted either alone or with one or more persons while attempting to commit a robbery as Menachem left his office on that January night.

Felix confessed to police that he and another person physically struggled with Menachem, forced him into the vehicle and drove away. According to the chief medical examiner of Nassau County, Menachem died as a result of asphyxia by compression of neck and chest.

The investigation brought up that Menachem was screaming at the top of his voice, when Felix and the others were ordered to sit on him to quieten him down. As a result, Menachem suffocated and passed away.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind, along with Menachem’s brothers – Yitzy, Yoel and Yosef – and family members were present as Felix was brought before a judge.

Felix did not request bail and will remain under arrest until the next court hearing, which will take place on May 5, 2014.

Flanked by family members, Assemblyman Dov Hikind praised the NYPD and Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson for their commitment in bringing the perpetrators to justice. “Today is the beginning of justice. We’ve been waiting for this .. DA Thompson is determined to put away the people responsible for this horrible act of violence, which resulted in the modded of Menachem Stark,” Mr. Hikind told reporters outside the courtroom.

Mr. Hikind, as well as the brothers of Menachem said they will be on top of the case, making sure nobody gets away with it. “We want to make sure these individuals spend the rest of their lives in jail,” said Hikind. See a video of Hikind here.

With tears flowing down his face, Yitzy Stark told reporters that while his brother Menachem cannot be brought back, the family is relieved justice was served.

Jacob Kornbluh – JP Updates

{Photo by Gregory P. Mango/Pool}

{Matzav.com Newscenter}