Breion Greenfield | Homicide Watch Trenton

Defense attorney says Trenton man who allegedly targeted slain witness in 2008 was not involved in his murder

Isaac Avilucea — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 13:04:26 -0500

An attorney for Mikal Bush, who is free on $600,000 bail and set to go on trial for murder next year, says his client had nothing to do with the death of a key witness in his case.

Breion Greenfield (contributed photo)

The witness is Breion Greenfield, who was gunned down last week in Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Trenton.

Police have not named any suspects in the slaying, nor have they identified any persons of interest.

Bush and Greenfield allegedly had bad blood in the past, and Bush is believed to have targeted Greenfield during a drive-by shooting Oct. 8, 2008.

Prosecutors have said the attempted hit ended in the death of Hassan Peters, an innocent bystander who was playing cards at a residence on the first block of Bellevue Avenue when he was stuck in a hail of bullets.

“I’m certain Mr. Bush had nothing to do with the demise of Mr. Greenfield,” Edward Bertucio, Bush’s attorney, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I’m his lawyer, and I know that to be the case. We’ll let the investigation into Mr. Greenfield’s death unfold and deal with it in the course of trial when it comes it up.”

Bush is scheduled to go on trial in May 2016. It’s unclear if the trial could be postponed due to the death of Greenfield, but Bush’s attorney said he is opposed to any delay.

“This case has languished long enough as it is, and Mr. Bush wants to get this case behind him,” Bertucio said.

It’s unclear if a judge would grant an extension if it comes to that since Greenfield was a pivotal witness who was expected to testify he robbed Bush of a watch, drugs and $450 in cash the day Peters was gunned down.

Greenfield’s aunt lived on Bellevue Avenue, and he testified to as much at a pretrial hearing.

“I want Fozz [Peters]’s mom to know the truth,” Greenfield said in July. “It’s my fault. If it wasn’t for me, he’d still be alive. I did something I had no business doing. Fozz got shot over it.”

A spokeswoman for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about if her office believes Greenfield’s death is tied to his status as a witness in an upcoming murder trial.

However, witness intimidation is a common refrain among prosecutors in Trenton. And no one needs to look further than the 2004 murder of Jeri Lynn Dotson, a “queen” in the Latin Kings who was killed because she witnessed the abduction of her roommate, Alex Ruiz.

Greenfield’s family said he was worried about taking the stand.

“He was always nervous about testifying in the trial,” said Talaya Greenfield, the victim’s aunt. “He was just getting a lot pressure from the prosecutor. They were upset at him for embarrassing them.”

Talaya Greenfield was referring to her nephew’s recent legal troubles. He had been arrested for allegedly robbing a man in July on Union Street with an imitation Uzi.

Days later, Greenfield escaped custody.

Wearing only a hospital gown, socks and handcuffs, Greenfield slipped corrections officers while at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was taken for unspecified medical attention. He wriggled one of his hands free from the shackles and led authorities on a chase through the city, breaking the window of a home on Nassau Street. He forced his way into a home on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard before he was apprehended.

Greenfield’s family said they are unaware of any specific enemies he made on the streets, but police have said he was a notorious “stickup robber.”

Greenfield was free on $100,000 bail and had an upcoming court date. His family does not know why he was in the park that day, hours before Thanksgiving. And they haven’t received much information from authorities because the investigation is ongoing.

Talaya Greenfield remembers her last conversation with her nephew.

“He always called me his No. 1 auntie,” she said.

Trenton murder victim regretted his troubled past, his family says

Penny Ray — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 16:31:05 -0500

Breion Greenfield (contributed photo)

A local street hustler describes Breion Greenfield as the type of person who “lived his life like every minute was his last.” Greenfield’s family describes him as a loving father who had a “playful side” underneath a “tough, street-wise” exterior. Police, though, describe him as a “stickup man” and “chronic armed robber.”

Breion Greenfield, 30, was murdered Wednesday in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Police have not disclosed how many times Greenfield was struck, but sources say he was shot at least once in the chest. A man who was tinting windows on Proctor Avenue, about 50 yards away from where gunfire erupted in the park, said he heard about five gunshots.

What was supposed to be a Thanksgiving celebration filled with joy and family affection turned into a day of mourning and sorrowful reflection. Greenfield, who previously missed several holiday celebrations due to being incarcerated, had planned a Thanksgiving feast with family. He wasn’t an exceptional cook — fried chicken and fish is what he knew best — but he told his fiancee that he’d help her out as much as he could.

The Greenfield family canceled their Thanksgiving celebration after receiving news of Breion’s death. His mother Monica couldn’t find words to describe her grief, but other relatives spoke about Breion’s desire to change his life to become a better role model for his children.

“He said he didn't want his son to be anything like him,” his fiancee Dora Watkins, who’s now left to raise their four kids alone, said. “He wanted to change for his son.”

Earlier this year, Greenfield was arrested for allegedly robbing a man on Union Street with an imitation Uzi. Days later, Greenfield escaped from custody. Wearing only a hospital gown, socks and handcuffs, Greenfield escaped from corrections officers while at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, where he was taken for unspecified medical attention. After wriggling one of his hands free from shackles, Greenfield led authorities on a chase through the city, breaking the window of a home on Nassau Street. He later forced his way into a home on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard before he was apprehended.

At the time of his death, Greenfield was out on bail. His fiancee said he was scheduled to appear in court next month for charges related to the escape, and that he was worried about the outcome.

“He was really stressed about possibly not being with us on Christmas because he might be in jail,” Watkins said.

Recently, Greenfield had spoken with several relatives about leaving the street life, and he told some of them that he regretted things he had done in the past. Greenfield was expected to testify as a state witness in the upcoming murder trial of Mikal Bush, who is accused of gunning down Hassan “Fozz” Peters in 2008. One of Greenfield’s relatives lived a door down from where Peters was shot on Bellevue Avenue, a place Greenfield often visited. Prosecutors believe Peters was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of Bush’s alleged retaliation plot. At a pretrial hearing earlier this year, Greenfield testified that he used a 9mm handgun to rob Bush of heroin, a watch and $450 in cash on the same day Peters was killed.

Breion Greenfield (contributed photo)

“I want Fozz’s mom to know the truth,” Greenfield said in July. “It’s my fault. If it wasn’t for me, he’d still be alive. I did something I had no business doing. Fozz got shot over it.”

Bush, who is free on $600,000 bail, has maintained his innocence in Peters’ slaying. His trial is scheduled for May 2016. Greenfield was never charged for the robbery involving Bush because the statute of limitations expired, officials said.

“Breion didn't know himself why he did bad things to other people,” his aunt Talaya Greenfield said. “When he got out of jail the last time, I thought he was going to change. But he didn't have anyone to guide him in the right direction.”

The Greenfield’s are no strangers to tragically ill-timed deaths. Last year, Breion’s cousin Jamer was gunned down on Rosemont Avenue.

After Breion’s murder Wednesday, his family waited several hours at the hospital but were eventually told they couldn’t see his body because it had been shipped to the morgue. Perhaps it’s best they’re left with memories of him smiling and playing with his children, as opposed to lying on a gurney, or hospital bed, riddled with bullets.

“When I first saw Breion after he was born, he was so bright and had sparkling, beautiful eyes,” Talaya said. “I will never forget his eyes. No matter what he did to people, he didn't deserve to die like that. He wanted to make things better, but he didn't know which way to turn. He needed guidance, love and affection.”

Breion’s murder is the second homicide to occur in the capital city this week. On Tuesday morning, 19-year-old Elvin Kimble was killed during a shootout in Chambersburg. Police sources who spoke on condition of anonymity say Kimble was found wearing a ski mask, and that he still had a gun in his hand at the time of his death. Investigators believe Kimble planned a robbery, but was killed by his target.

Anyone with information about either of this week’s murders is asked to call the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or contact the Trenton Police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663. Individuals may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeledTCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.

-Trentonian reporter Isaac Avilucea contributed to this report.

Man fatally shot in the chest

Penny Ray — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 17:13:50 -0500

Police look for clues at a fatal shooting scene in Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Trenton. (Gregg Slaboda - Trentonian)

A man was murdered Wednesday afternoon in Martin Luther King Jr. Park, bringing this year's homicide toll to 19.

Breion Greenfield, 30, was shot around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of Southard Street.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park is located near the intersection of Southard Street and Brunswick Avenue. Detectives were on-scene Wednesday using flashlights to search the park for evidence, occasionally placing cones next to potential clues. Investigators also used metal detectors to search the grass for shell casings.

A man was tinting windows on Proctor Avenue, about 50 yards away from where gunfire erupted in the park. He said he heard about five gunshots but didn't react. "I guess I'm just used to it," he said.

Detectives use flashlights to investigate a murder in Martin Luther King Jr. Park. November 25, 2015 (Isaac Avilucea - Trentonian)

Police did not disclose how many times Greenfield was struck, but sources say he was shot at least once in the chest.

Breion Greenfield is the cousin of Jamer Greenfield who was shot and killed in July last year.

"First my son, and now my nephew; this is too much," Talaya Greenfield told The Trentonian.

A repeat felony offender with an extensive rap sheet, Breion Greenfield was expected to testify as a state witness in the upcoming murder trial of Mikal Bush, who is accused of gunning down Hassan "Fozz" Peters in 2008.

Greenfield’s aunt lived a door down from where Peters was shot on Bellevue Avenue, a place Greenfield often visited. Prosecutors believe Peters was an innocent bystander, caught in the crossfire of Bush’s alleged retaliation plot.

At a pretrial hearing earlier this year, Greenfield testified that he used a 9mm handgun to rob Bush of heroin, a watch and $450 in cash the same day Peters was killed.

Bush, who is free on $600,000 bail, has maintained his innocence in Peters' slaying. His trial is scheduled for May 2016.

Police have not named any suspects in Breion Greenfield's murder. He was never charged for the robbery involving Bush because the statue of limitations expired, officials said. But Greenfield was arrested and charged in a separate armed robbery in July. Police say he pointed an imitation Uzi handgun at a 37-year-old man in the 500 block of Union Street and demanded money. He was found a short time later on Federal Street where officers discovered the fake gun inside his sports utility vehicle.

Days later, Greenfield escaped from custody. Wearing only a hospital gown, socks and handcuffs, Greenfield escaped the clutches of corrections officers while at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, where he was taken for unspecified medical attention. After wriggling one of his hands free from the shackles, Greenfield led authorities on a chase through the city, breaking the window of a home on Nassau Street. He forced his way into the second story of a home on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard before he was apprehended.

Wednesday's murder marks the second homicide in two days. On Tuesday morning, 19-year-old Elvin Kimble was killed during a shootout in Chambersburg.

So far this year, 19 people have been killed within the capital city, which includes two people who died by vehicular homicide.

Anyone with information about Wednesday’s murder is asked to call the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406 or contact the Trenton Police confidential tip line at (609) 989-3663. Individuals may also call the Trenton Crime Stoppers tip line at (609) 278-8477. Those wishing to text a tip can send a message labeledTCSTIPS to Trenton Crime Stoppers at 274637.

-Trentonian reporter Isaac Avilucea contributed to this report.