GUILTY NY - Four people shot to death in Medford pharmacy robbery, 19 June 2011

[starviego]

James Manzella made a positive ID of the suspect, as he saw him when he came out of the store.

The police claim Manzella said this. We haven't heard from Manzella directly. Also, the defense attorney was not present at the 'line up' where Manzella made the ID, which probably means it is not admissible evidence.

Plus, he left the prescription for his wife's pills, dropped on the floor, and his fingerprints were found on the counter, I believe.

His fingerprint was allegedly found on a piece of paper--not his wife's prescription--found near one of the victims. But what does that mean? A seven point match, a nine point match, an eleven point match?

And I ask again why they would have robbed the pharmacy when his wife had a legitimate pain pill prescription?

 

[starviego]

his wife has admitted she drove him there

His wife allegedly admitted driving her accomplice there, but did not ID her husband. I would not automatically assume it is him, especially with evidence that cops have a viable third suspect.

LE then have a video of a man... with a beard who walked into the store....

First the cops said they were looking for a suspect with a beard, then they said it was Laffer with a 'fake' beard. Now they say it was Laffer with a scraggly beard augmented with mascara. They are all over the map with this stuff. Sounds like they are form-fitting their theories to fit their suspect.

the pills from the store were found in there home

After many permutations, the latest is that 1000 pills have been allegedly found in the home. But cops have not said if these pills can be definitely matched to the batch missing from the store.

she was reported to have said to media as she left court 'he did it, he did it all'

Who is 'he?' What is meant by 'did it?' Was Melinda even aware that they were being charged with murder when she said this. Anyway this tidbit was meant for public consumption. This statement will never be brought up at trial.

she I think will offer to plead in exchange for her testimony...

If they had good evidence her husband murdered those people, there would be no deal offered, and they would throw the book at her, too. A deal is only offered when the prosecution's case is not strong enough to stand on its own.

 

[joe jones]

the grand jury is considering further charges for her, so she maybe yet charged with murder, I have no doubt that she has thrown her husband right under the bus to try to save her own skin,

I am off the opinion that LE have more than enough evidence to convict him on all counts, he will never leave prison alive, and if she is charged with murder neither will she,

 

[jjenny]

The police claim Manzella said this. We haven't heard from Manzella directly. Also, the defense attorney was not present at the 'line up' where Manzella made the ID, which probably means it is not admissible evidence.


His fingerprint was allegedly found on a piece of paper--not his wife's prescription--found near one of the victims. But what does that mean? A seven point match, a nine point match, an eleven point match?

And I ask again why they would have robbed the pharmacy when his wife had a legitimate pain pill prescription?

Would the pain pill prescription allow the wife to get thousand or thousands ( I really don't care that much for the exact number of pills, and I doubt many other people would) of pain pills for free?

 

[Reader]

Hope this helps with your previous questions:

The police claim Manzella said this. We haven't heard from Manzella directly. Also, the defense attorney was not present at the 'line up' where Manzella made the ID, which probably means it is not admissible evidence.

Please go back to post #5 again to read Manzella's own statement:

'I saw the gunman who shot my fiancée': Man tells of moment he found body of girlfriend killed in pharmacy massacre.

Where did you get the information that the defense att. was not present when the ID was made, and why would this matter? I've known of many suspects being ID'd before being charged or getting an attorney.

His fingerprint was allegedly found on a piece of paper--not his wife's prescription--found near one of the victims. But what does that mean? A seven point match, a nine point match, an eleven point match?

You are correct about the fingerprint. My bad. I believe since the DA is apparently accepting it as evidence, that it meets the legal requirements for such. The wife's prescription was dropped on the floor, according to news reports.

And I ask again why they would have robbed the pharmacy when his wife had a legitimate pain pill prescription?

There are several articles posted that explain when Laffer was fired from his job, the couple lost their health insurance, and that the wife was 'desperate' for her pills before the robbery/murders.

And Melinda did ID her husband as the killer and stated they both plotted the crime in court papers:

"Brady blamed her husband when she was led from police headquarters to a nearby precinct holding cell following her arrest last week. "He was doing it because he lost his job and I was sick," Brady said. "He did it. He did all of this," she told reporters.

In court documents, she told police that she and Laffer had plotted the robbery, but she insisted she was not aware that the plan included killing anyone."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13963832&page=2

 

[starviego]

Where did you get the information that the defense att. was not present when the ID was made, and why would this matter?

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06...oting-suspect-david-laffer-due-back-in-court/
Laffer’s lawyer: she knows nothing of a police lineup. ...

I am not sure but I think the protocol is for the defense lawyer to be there so the police don't 'help' the witness choose the 'correct' person.

There are several articles posted that explain when Laffer was fired from his job, the couple lost their health insurance, and that the wife was 'desperate' for her pills before the robbery/murders.

So the couple with a clean record and no history of violence risks life in prison because they can't hustle up the $30 bucks necessary for their supply of happy pills? It's not impossible, I guess, but the whole scenario seems wildly improbable. I don't hear that they were asking people to loan them money, btw.

Brady blamed her husband when she was led from police headquarters to a nearby precinct holding cell following her arrest last week. "He was doing it because he lost his job and I was sick," Brady said. "He did it. He did all of this," she told reporters.

It's possible Melinda thought they were in trouble just for pill shopping when she said those words. And I think it's also possible the cops bullied or tricked her into saying this.

In court documents, she told police that she and Laffer had plotted the robbery

http://www.newsday.com/news/breaking/court-records-couple-planned-robbery-only-1.2982123
The felony complaint charging Brady with third-degree robbery does not identify her accomplice...

You can access the court docs here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/58647703/Felony-Complaint-Melinda-Brady-Medford-Shootings-2

 

[MLE]

It looks like a slam dunk case if the prosecution has any level of competency whatsoever.

 

[Reader]

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/li_pharmacy_shooter_Y43QDvHYzIKxg16HUvSxZP

Not much new information on the crime in this article but it does give the next court appearance dates for Laffer and Brady:

"Laffer's next court appearance is Sept. 8. The judge said jury selection is expected in early January 2012.

Brady, 29, was also arrested and is accused of driving the getaway car.

Brady has said in a Suffolk County police report that while they plotted the robbery, killing was never part of the plan.

A source said Brady may be cooperating with prosecutors after she waived her right to be released when she was not indicted by a grand jury in a timely manner. She is slated to appear before a judge on July 15."

 

[Reader]

http://www.newsday.com/news/breaking/david-laffer-a-fan-of-military-islanders-1.2977002

Exerpt:

At the house, Farina noticed a "stockpile of ammunition and grenades."

"I knew he had firearms in the house," Farina said. "That was a little weird for an average person, but I knew he was in the military."

There are references on Laffer's Facebook page to the military, war games, UFO conspiracies and guns. Laffer's Facebook profile shows him posed with his street hockey team, and skydiving in Mexico. He also posted his wedding photo on his page.

Laffer was passionate about hockey both as a spectator and participant. He could debate the sport forever, one former teammate said. As a player, he was knocked around a lot because of his slight build, said the teammate who did not want to be identified, and tended to dwell on his mistakes.

------------
http://www.newsday.com/news/breaking/portrait-of-melinda-brady-laffer-s-wife-1.2979219

Excerpt:

"She would give up that she was on painkillers to anyone who happened to be listening," said Brian Wilson, owner of the Nassau-Suffolk Dekhockey rink in Farmingdale.

Still unclear is what propelled Brady from the manicured West Sayville neighborhood where she grew up to the St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center bed where she awaits arraignment on charges of robbery and obstructing government administration.

"I don't think she was ever in a lick of trouble," said schoolmate Peter Regan, 29, of Sayville.

"She was a sweetheart," Regan said. "She was eager to be friends with people. If you were to talk to her, she would keep it going."

Regan and Bates said Brady had trouble fitting in. "Kids are cruel," Bates said. "There was teasing behind her back."

 

[joe jones]

I wonder if the grand jury has finished deciding if any further charges are to be added to her list

 

[Reader]

I wonder if the grand jury has finished deciding if any further charges are to be added to her list

I'm not sure if "she was not indicted by a grand jury in a timely manner" means no further indictments for Melinda, or if they are just taking longer than expected.

In a search the latest article I could find was dated 6/27/11:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/06...y-looking-into-haven-pharmacy-murders-monday/

David Laffer & Melinda Brady Under Suicide Watch As Grand Jury Considers Additional Charges In Medford Killings

Criminal expert Bruce Barket spoke with CBS 2′s Jennifer McLogan about additional charges that Brady could potentially face.

“She is liable for felony murder, which carries with it a sentence of 25 to life. He’s liable for first-degree murder, which carries a sentence of life without possibility of parole,” Barket said.

I guess we will find out on July 15th.

 

[Reader]

Amy Fisher attorney to represent Laffer
Published: July 7, 2011 7:55 PM

Less than two weeks after being indicted on multiple counts of first-degree murder, Laffer replaced his court-appointed attorney, Mary Elizabeth Abbate, with longtime defense attorney Eric Naiburg, of Central Islip, the offices of both lawyers confirmed.

Naiburg declined to comment about the case, which has attracted national attention.

http://www.newsday.com/news/breaking/amy-fisher-attorney-to-represent-laffer-1.3011433

-------------------------
David Laffer: I can't serve jury duty
Published: July 6, 2011 10:10 PM

David Laffer, charged with killing four people at Haven Drugs in Medford last month, notified a Suffolk official he could not attend jury duty scheduled to begin just days after his arrest.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/59480218/Laffer-Letter

http://www.newsday.com/news/breaking/david-laffer-i-can-t-serve-jury-duty-1.3009035

-----------------------------
Sister of pharmacy massacre victim says it is 'up to God' to punish suspect David Laffer
BY Edgar Sandoval
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Thursday, July 7th 2011, 4:00 AM

Wearing her big sister's bloodstained rosary beads, Lesly Mejia said it's up to God to punish the cold-blooded killer who wreaked havoc on her family.

In her first extensive interview since her sister, Jennifer, and three other innocent victims were gunned down June 19 at a Long Island drugstore, the 16-year-old said she has not come to grips with her beloved sibling's death.


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_...07_i_dont_want_us_to_be_filled_with_hate.html

 

[starviego]

Some general observations:


http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/DA-NY-shootings-suspect-staked-out-pharmacy-1446833.php
Mejia and pharmacist Raymond Ferguson were working so that co-workers could get Father's Day off. "That generous gesture unfortunately cost them their lives," (Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas )Spota said.

If the first two victims weren't supposed to be there, and agreed to fill other people's shifts, I would like to know exactly who these persons are and why they didn't want to work that day. Father's Day? Who takes off work just for Father's Day?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/n...olence-of-suspect-in-drug-store-killings.html
Last year, the Suffolk County Police Department recorded eight robberies of pharmacies in the area it polices, which excludes some towns in the county. The one on Sunday was the fourth this year.

If you needed to start on a list of suspects, wouldn't you go back to the suspects who a have a record of violent narcotics robberies, instead of looking at some guy who was an ex-customer at the store?

Cops said they got more than 400 tips total. Gee, I wonder why they concentrated on the small handful that allegedly implicated Laffer, and what exactly all those other tips were saying.

 

[CocoChanel]

Some general observations:


http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/DA-NY-shootings-suspect-staked-out-pharmacy-1446833.php
Mejia and pharmacist Raymond Ferguson were working so that co-workers could get Father's Day off. "That generous gesture unfortunately cost them their lives," (Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas )Spota said.

If the first two victims weren't supposed to be there, and agreed to fill other people's shifts, I would like to know exactly who these persons are and why they didn't want to work that day. Father's Day? Who takes off work just for Father's Day?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/n...olence-of-suspect-in-drug-store-killings.html
Last year, the Suffolk County Police Department recorded eight robberies of pharmacies in the area it polices, which excludes some towns in the county. The one on Sunday was the fourth this year.

If you needed to start on a list of suspects, wouldn't you go back to the suspects who a have a record of violent narcotics robberies, instead of looking at some guy who was an ex-customer at the store?

Cops said they got more than 400 tips total. Gee, I wonder why they concentrated on the small handful that allegedly implicated Laffer, and what exactly all those other tips were saying.

BBM
Is that really so unusual to you? A father wanting to spend Father's Day with his family rather than at work is not difficult to understand by my way of thinking. I appreciate hearing your different interpretations of the facts as we know them, but questioning this seems a bit of a stretch.

 

[Reader]

BBM
Is that really so unusual to you? A father wanting to spend Father's Day with his family rather than at work is not difficult to understand by my way of thinking. I appreciate hearing your different interpretations of the facts as we know them, but questioning this seems a bit of a stretch.

I agree, CocoChanel, this would not be unusual in a workplace, and the point is that these two people volunteered to work on that day so the others could take off, so it's not like they were required to be there, or were asked to do so.

--------------
From starviego: (snipped)

If you needed to start on a list of suspects, wouldn't you go back to the suspects who a have a record of violent narcotics robberies, instead of looking at some guy who was an ex-customer at the store?

Cops said they got more than 400 tips total. Gee, I wonder why they concentrated on the small handful that allegedly implicated Laffer, and what exactly all those other tips were saying.

-----

Although it's true there had been pharmacy robberies in the area before, I believe the investigators are obligated to consider the evidence which is available in each case separately, not jump to conclusions about previous suspects without any evidence. The persons who were arrested for the previous robberies may still have been in jail or even cleared of the crime at the time.

In this case they had the videos, the prescription, his fingerprint, his gun registration, the bullets and casings which led directly to these suspects. It was not just tips that caused them to be arrested.

 

[starviego]

A good homicide detective would consider all avenues, and I hope they have checked out if this whole 'Father's Day' thing was for real.

Here's another theory:

The pharmacy was being investigated for diverting narcotics to the black market. The owner is desperate--he fears his stock is going to be inventoried by the DEA and he will have to explain how 11,000 pains pills have disappeared. So he arranges a simulated robbery. He fills up a couple of big dispensing jars labeled 'Vicodin' with rocks or dummy pills, makes sure the robber knows right where to find them-out in the open and not locked up in a safe or secure cabinet, where they should have been stored. The owner doesn't have guts to be there himself, so he gets his employees to take his place. He figures the robber will just order them to the floor and there won't be any trouble.

But the covert operators get wind of the plan, and they send their own man instead. But his real mission isn't to steal any drugs; his job is to kill any and all in the store. Then they will use the ensuing hysteria to pass all the new laws they want passed.

http://breakingnews.vacau.com/schum...in-wake-of-medford-pharmacy-massacre.html?amp
The Medford pharmacy massacre*is one of the reasons*why*Schumer is pushing legislation to address overprescribing*of the drugs. He is co-sponsoring legislation introduced in by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., that would require doctors to participate in specialized training to prescribe Oxycontin, Vicodin and other opiate-based narcotics. The training would help doctors better identify patients vulnerable to addiction.

If all this sounds far-fetched, think about "Operation Fast and Furious" where the BATF and Justice Department have been caught supplying Mexican drug cartels with thousands of firearms. When they did this, they knew people would be killed with these guns, and that so far has included two US Border Patrol guards. So they are quite ruthless and utterly willing to sacrifice innocent life to get new legislation passed. I think that is what happened at Haven Drugs.

One thing is certain: they are still missing 10,000 hydrocodone tabs, and no one has a clue as to what happened to them.

 

[Reader]

starviego:

I see no verification in your post or link that these 2 situations are connected or correlated in any way. One is a bill before congress; one is the result of a clandestine operation that began in another state.

Without proof I for one won't be discussing any pharmacy owner/government conspiracy rumors here. Congress is already investigating the Fast and Furious operation according to what I researched and this is becoming more a political situation it seems to me.

This interesting information was however in the link you provided above:

"Police in Suffolk County said they found 11,000 hydrocodone pills inside the Medford basement apartment of David Laffer and his wife Melinda Brady."

and

"It’s unclear if all the hydrocodone pills police say they found in their apartment came from Haven pharmacy."

Did they committ other robberies?

-------

Another quote from your article:

"Schumer said tougher penalties are needed to help combat prescription drug abuse and pharmacy robberies.

“We make the penalties for robbing pharmacies for these drugs not just an ordinary theft, but much more severe,” he said. “That would, A, when the criminals are caught they’re going to stay in jail a longer time and B, be a deterrent.”

Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Memonidies Medical Center, Dr. Andrew Kolodny, says pharmaceutical companies helped make the problem when they started pushing doctors to prescribe powerful painkillers to patients.

“Physicians were misinformed about the risks and believe it or not, were taught that these medications were not addictive if patients have legitimate pain,” said Kolodny. “That’s not right and now we have a severe epidemic across the country.”

-------

Personally, I don't think trying to enact legislation that will help doctors know more about the effects of the drugs they prescribe and/or make the penalties for committing robberies to steal them stronger, is anything but a normal reaction to try to improve a situation after a shocking crime such as 4 first degree murders has been committed.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

LI pharm 'killer' was into 'pawn'

The Long Island man charged with executing four people in the Father's Day massacre at a Medford pharmacy was scrambling for cash not long before his heinous crimes.



Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/...nto_pawn_ihogLvY3JCz8euLYhH1gHK#ixzz1SYGE7o78

 

[joe jones]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/07/19/general-us-pharmacy-shootings_8572790.html

wife pleads NG

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

LI couple buried gun barrel and flushed pills down the toilet after drugstore shooting: DA


"The psycho pill-popper accused of killing four people at a Long Island pharmacy last month and his wife spent the days after the slayings trying to conceal evidence of their alleged crime, prosecutors said today.

Suffolk County DA Tom Spota said accused gunman David Laffer, 33, and his wife Melinda Brady, 29, tossed the clothes they were wearing that day into a Dumpster near their Medford home and disassembled the murder weapon, burying the barrel of the gun in a nearby yard.

Police recovered 1,000 hydrocodone pills in the house hidden in a box with a false bottom, Spota said.


Another stash of pills were flushed down the toilet after cops began closing in on the couple, according to Spota."



Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/...pharmacy_aLLCJDwkm8E21tOE5iJuWO#ixzz1Sb6y4ioX