By Howard Koplowitz
The mother of slain Pomonok Houses resident Laseam Hogan is heading to the Kew Gardens courthouse Thursday in hopes that her son’s suspected killer does not take a 22-year plea deal offered by prosecutors.
Hogan, 27, was killed Oct. 15 as he left a Subway restaurant across the street from the Pomonok courtyard near 71st Avenue and Kissena Boulevard in Kew Gardens Hills, according to police.
Malcolm Thompson, 18, was picked up Oct. 19 on charges he murdered Hogan by Allentown, Pa., police, according to the Allentown-based Morning Call newspaper.
Hogan was shot once in the head, twice in the leg and once in the torso, police said.
A second man was questioned in connection with Hogan’s murder, but he was released due to lack of evidence, according to Hogan’s mother, Andrea McGowan.
McGowan said her son was allegedly killed by Thompson after Thompson could not repay $300 Hogan loaned him.
“Why would you do something like that?” McGowan asked, referring to the murder.
A spokeswoman for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown would not say whether a plea deal was offered to Thompson, but McGowan said someone in Brown’s office notified her of a plea deal that was proposed to the 18-year-old.
“I’m going [to court] Thursday and hopefully I will find out,” McGowan said. “I’m going to be watching.”
McGowan said she was hoping Thompson does not take the deal.
“I honestly do not want that,” McGowan said. “I want life in prison and without parole, without anything. [Thompson] don’t need to see outside anymore.
McGowan said both a detective and Brown’s office told her they have a strong case against Thompson.
The DA’s spokeswoman said Thompson was conditionally discharged for an assault charge in 2008 and has a 2009 robbery case pending in court.
She said Thompson was also arrested Feb. 13 on attempted murder charges and last appeared in court on that charge Friday.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
