Courts Reporter

John Annese

John Annese covers federal and state courts in Brooklyn for the New York Daily News. Before coming to the News in 2015, he reported on crime, courts, and the Staten Island opioid epidemic for the Staten Island Advance. He is the recipient of several New York State Associated Press Association Awards.

@johnannese.bsky.social on Bluesky and @john.annese on Threads

Jay Bryant, who was charged in Jam Master Jay’s 2002 murder.

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Crime and Public Safety |
Witness at Jam Master Jay trial opens door for alternate murder theory

February 8, 2024 at 8:46 a.m.

A witness handed the men on trial for killing Jam Master Jay an alternate theory of the crime Wednesday — telling the jury his nephew confessed to killing the Run-DMC...

John "Bazoo" Ragano didn't let his arrest in a union shakedown scheme prevent him from committing more extortion and witness tampering, according to federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.

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Crime and Public Safety |
Bonanno mobster accused of extortion while awaiting sentencing in earlier NYC case

February 7, 2024 at 7:23 p.m.

John "Bazoo" Ragano didn't let his arrest in a union shakedown scheme prevent him from committing more extortion and witness tampering, according to federal prosecutors in Brooklyn.

Allen was the last of five witnesses inside the studio the night of Oct.30, 2002 to take the stand at the Brooklyn Federal Court trial of Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald "Tinard" Washington.

Crime and Public Safety |
Jam Master Jay’s pal tells jury he grabbed slain Run-DMC star’s gun to chase killers

February 6, 2024 at 6:57 p.m.

Allen was the last of five witnesses inside the studio the night of Oct.30, 2002 to take the stand at the Brooklyn Federal Court trial of Karl Jordan Jr. and...

Ex-con Ralph Mullgrav's time on the stand kicked off a day of testimony in Brooklyn court that included Jay's business manager, who witnessed the Run-DMC co-founder's murder, and a former NYPD detective known as the "Hip Hop Cop."

Crime and Public Safety |
Drug dealer tells NYC jury Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay sold cocaine

February 5, 2024 at 9:57 p.m.

Ex-con Ralph Mullgrav's time on the stand kicked off a day of testimony in Brooklyn court that included Jay's business manager, who witnessed the Run-DMC co-founder's murder, and a former...

Baraquiel Castelan (Obtained by Daily News)

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Crime and Public Safety |
Bronx dad killed in bar fight; spent 27 months on Rikers for stabbing he didn’t commit

February 5, 2024 at 11:18 a.m.

A Bronx dad who spent more than two years on Rikers Island for a stabbing he didn’t commit was knifed to death during an argument outside a bar in his...

NYPD officers collar stray sheep on Brooklyn street

New York News |
Stray sheep wandering Brooklyn streets caught by cops

February 4, 2024 at 7:53 p.m.

Police found the fugitive farm animal in Sunset Park after a 911 caller reported a lone sheep hiding behind the bushes near 39th St. and Seventh Ave.

Cops seek Harlem man, 23, who escaped police custody at Bellevue Hospital

Crime and Public Safety |
Suspect on the loose after escaping NYPD custody at Bellevue Hospital

February 4, 2024 at 4:13 p.m.

Police are asking the public's help finding Christopher Miller, 23, after he fled the hospital through a side door.

Crime and Public Safety |
Man, 22, fatally struck by 2 drivers as he crosses Bronx street

February 4, 2024 at 5:07 p.m.

The victim was first struck by the driver of a four-door sedan zipping south on White Plains Road near Archer St. in Parkchester about 4 a.m., cops said.

Aspiring singer Yarrah Concepcion broke down Thursday as she described the gruesome 2002 fatal shooting scene to a federal jury and recalled trying to check the Run-DMC founder for a pulse.

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Crime and Public Safety |
Singer at Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay murder trial weeps describing his death

February 1, 2024 at 6:58 p.m.

Aspiring singer Yarrah Concepcion broke down Thursday as she described the gruesome 2002 fatal shooting scene to a federal jury and recalled trying to check the Run-DMC founder for a...

After years of silence, witness names Jam Master Jay’s alleged killer in court

January 31, 2024 at 6:57 p.m.

Jam Master Jay's close friend described the Run-DMC founder's final moments in his Queens music studio — and, after years of silence, pointed the finger Wednesday at the man he...

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