Witness intimidation in Schenectady murder case alleged

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo Provided

Hector Torres.

SCHENECTADY — Two city man face witness intimidation charges, at least one in connection with a recently concluded city murder trial, records show.

Ruben Marrero, 44, of Sunset Street, and Hector Torres, 41, of Albany Street, each face one count of third-degree intimidating a witness, felonies.

Marrero is accused, with another member of the Latin Kings gang, of intimidating a witness from testifying in the recently completed murder trial of Hector Abreu.

He is accused of intimidating the witness just after 6 p.m. Sept. 11 at State and Hulett streets by instilling fear of physical injury, according to court documents filed in his case. Police arrested Marrero Wednesday.

Torres faces the same charge, records show. Court documents in his case weren’t available, however, police records indicate he is accused of intimidating a witness at the same time and location as Marrero. Police arrested Torres Sept. 21.

The murder trial of Abreu began Sept. 14 with jury selection. He was accused in the June 2014 shooting death of Angel Carrion on Main Avenue in Schenectady. Prosecutors said the shooting had roots in both Abreu and Carrion’s membership in the Latin Kings and disputes that erupted from that.

The jury convicted Abreu on Thursday of both the murder of Carrion and attempted shooting of him earlier. Abreu now faces up to 40 years to life in prison, on top of 12.5 years he is already serving in a non-fatal 2014 Schenectady shooting.

In announcing the verdict, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney referenced attempts to intimidate witnesses in the case and thanked Police Chief Eric Clifford for his department’s efforts in keeping the witnesses safe.

Both Marrero and Torres remained held at the Schenectady County Jail Friday without bail.