An alleged member of the Crips is on trial for murder in the Bronx, and yesterday the judge closed her court room because his associates have allegedly been doling out threats—one witness was even beat up and shot last week The Daily News reports that Brandin Santiago's friends have "flashed gang signs in the courtroom and intimidated witnesses and victim's family members throughout the trial." Which has the Bronx DA's office asking for a closed trial.
Santiago, 21, is accused of killing a 17-year-old girl, Nadairee Walters and injuring two others "after being turned away from a Morris Heights house party in November 2008," according to the Post. He is supposedly a member of the Crips' 280s crew, and prosecutor Nancy Borko said, "There have been problems in the audience. Gang signs have been thrown at witnesses. This was a witness who has been beaten up and shot at last week," referring to witness Theodore Edwards.
Edwards was with Santiago when he was arrested; Edwards' relative told the News and Times that he didn't want to testify, but since there was an open warrant on him, he was being forced to testify against his will, "They're already shooting at him. He doesn't want to do this."
There is a metal detector outside the court room's door.
