By Naeisha Rose
A teenager could spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted Monday of committing murder during a botched home invasion in South Jamaica nearly four years ago.
Jurors found Prakash Churaman, 19, guilty on Nov. 19 of second-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree attempted robbery, first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
According to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Churaman participated in a Dec. 5, 2014, robbery attempt of his former best friend’s home, which was nicknamed “the weed spot,” in search of marijuana.
“The two victims were beaten, held at gunpoint and one man shot and killed inside his home during a violent home invasion,” said Brown on Nov. 19. “Today’s verdict marks the end of a painful nightmare for this family.”
Churaman, then 15, along with two accomplices in masks armed with guns and mace forced their way into the South Jamaica second-floor apartment at 6 p.m. and held a 27-year-old man at gunpoint. They then ordered a 74-year-old homeowner to lie on the ground.
The suspects sprayed the 27-year-old man in the face with mace, then dragged into another room at the rear of the apartment, and shot in the leg and abdomen while the assailants demanded property, according to the testimony.
Prosecutors said that Churaman and others confronted Taquane Clarke, 21, who was hiding in a bedroom and shot him once in the head, causing his immediate death.
The 27-year-old was later sent to Jamaica Hospital for his injuries, which he survived, according to authorities.
Elijah Gough, 32, one of Churaman’s accomplices, was convicted and sentenced at an earlier and sentenced to 65 years to life in prison, according to the DA’s office. The second unidentified accomplice remains on the lam.
Churaman is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 11; he faces up to 16 years to life in prison, according to the DA’s office.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
