By Bryan Schwartzman
On Saturday police announced they were able to identify the 13-year-old girl found dead two years ago and had arrested the man they think killed her on July 18, 1998.
Thomas Bryant, 20, of 179-24 137th Ave. in Springfield Gardens was arrested for the two-year-old murder, said Detective Carolyn Chew, a police spokeswoman. Bryant was picked up by police in the 113th Precinct after allegedly trying to break into a home, said Sherry Hunter, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Richard Brown.
Bryant apparently was trying to score points with cops and implicated an acquaintance of his in the murder of Lee Ann Mitchell, 12, of 136-20 West Gate Street in Springfield Gardens, said Hunter.
But investigators soon began to suspect it was Bryant who killed Mitchell after he identified the victim and not the acquaintance, authorities said.
Bryant has been charged with murder in the second degree and with tampering with physical evidence, which together carry a maximum penalty of 25 years to life in prison, said Hunter.
Along with another defendant, Edgard Gauther, he is also being charged with criminal mischief, petty larceny, and possession of burglar tools for allegedly breaking into the home at 179-38 144th Rd. in Springfield Gardens, she said.
Bryant has five prior arrests, two for burglary, two for petty larceny, and one for assault, said Police Officer Theresa Farello, a NYPD spokeswoman.
Two years ago a bypasser discovered the skeletal remains of the teen victim in a wooded field near 176-17 132nd Ave., police said. Police said Bryant allegedly raped Bryant before bludgeoning her and then setting her body on fire.
Mitchell lived with her adoptive parents at 136-20 Westgate Ave. Courtney Mitchell, Lee Ann
