By Jeremy Walsh
A Middle Village man who killed and cut up two alleged drug dealers who sold him fake narcotics was found guilty of first-degree murder in Suffolk County last week, the Suffolk district attorney said.
Darren Lynch, 29, was convicted by a jury along with a friend, James Wall of Coram, L.I., after 90 minutes of deliberation Friday. The jury also found the pair guilty of first- and second-degree kidnapping.
Lynch faces a maximum sentence of life without parole, the DA’s office said. Coram faces 25 years to life behind bars. Both are scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 11, the Suffolk DA said.
Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota said he will recommend maximum sentences for each defendant.
Lynch testified that he shot Suffolk County residents Joseph Odierno, 35, and Jairo Santos, 22, in the head at his Middle Village apartment because he was “infuriated” they sold him fake cocaine, the DA’s office said.
He also testified that he dismembered the two men in his apartment before burying their body parts in a sump in Coram and at his mother’s house elsewhere on Long Island, the DA said.
Odierno and Santos were reported missing July 16, 2008. Police raided Lynch’s residence two weeks later and uncovered several handguns and rifles, an AK-47, ammunition and several containers of cocaine, heroin and marijuana, authorities said.
Lynch and his live-in girlfriend, Leah Reynolds, 22, were arrested the next day and Lynch allegedly confessed to mutilating the Long Island men, according to police.
Prosecutors claim Reynolds hid the handguns used in the murder. She pleaded guilty in May to weapons possession and hindering prosecution charges and will be sentenced at a later date.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jewalsh@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
