By Howard Koplowitz
Billyray Staton, of 320 Beach 27th St. in Far Rockaway, and Alex Brown, of 170-18 Liberty Ave. in Jamaica, Ð both 18 Ð admitted Jan. 9 that they killed John Canora in his Howard Beach home by choking him and beating him with an aluminum bat and fire extinguisher, Brown said.Staton and Brown then dumped Canora's body in a drainage area of the basement in his home at 164-20 96th St., according to the DA. Canora's bound and bloodied body was found Nov. 4, 2006 Ð about two weeks following his death after his cousin reported him missing.The teens were hired to perform handy work around Canora's home, according to a neighbor, who said he would have other young men stay the night at his house after working for him. At the time of Canora's murder, police said Staton and Brown alleged that the man made sexual advances toward them.Shortly after his murder, Canora's neighbors characterized him as a gentle man who kept to himself and would not harm anyone.Staton and Brown pleaded guilty to manslaughter before Queens Supreme Court Judge Arthur Cooperman, who said he would probably sentence the teens to 23 years in prison when they return to court Feb. 27, Brown said.”With today's guilty plea, justice is served,” the DA said. Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
