The Nation : Chief Suspect in N.Y. Shooting Indicted

The principal suspect in the racial slaying of a black teen-ager shot last month during an attack by a white gang in Brooklyn was indicted on second-degree murder charges. Joseph Fama, 18, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans with his hands handcuffed in front of him, stood impassively as the prosecutor handed the indictment up to Brooklyn Criminal Court Judge Seymour Gerschwer. Asst. District Atty. Bruce McIntyre told the judge: “The grand jury has voted a 17-count indictment, charging this individual shot four times at close range and struck Yusuf Hawkins three times.” The charges included two counts of second-degree murder, which carry a maximum 25 years to life sentence, as well as first-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, violation of civil rights, rioting, unlawful impressment, aggravated harassment and menacing.