Guilty Plea For Murdering Man During 2021 Attempted Robbery: Nassau DA

MINEOLA, NY — A Hempstead man pleaded guilty to murdering a 24-year-old man during a 2021 attempted robbery in Uniondale, prosecutors announced.

Khamari Elie, 20, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges that include second-degree murder, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and three counts of first-degree robbery, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

"Khamari Elie’s plea reflects his undeniable role in this violent crime," Donnelly said. "Although he did not pull the trigger himself, this defendant accepted culpability for Kyle Midtlyng’s senseless death when he took part in planning the robbery and got behind the wheel to drive to Alexander Avenue that night where Kyle was fatally shot."

On the night of November 10, 2021, Elie, co-defendant Kyle Colthirst, and two additional co-defendants, Tariq Pitaud and Tyrel Cason Jr., went to 1001 Alexander Avenue in Uniondale to rob 24-year-old Kyle Midtlyng, prosecutors said.

Pitaud lured Midtlyng to the location under the pretense of wanting to buy marijuana, texting him to set up the purchase, Donnelly said.

Colthirst entered the front passenger side of the victim’s vehicle and during the attempted robbery, shot Midtlyng once in the right side, piercing both lungs and his aorta. Colthirst then exited the vehicle and fled down Lee Road, the D.A. said.

Colthirst was convicted of charges that include second-degree murder and first-degree attempted robbery. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on April 2, Donnelly said.

Pitaud, 21, of West Babylon, was convicted of first-degree attempted robbery and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, Donnelly said.

Cason, 21, of South Farmingdale, was indicted and arraigned in November on charges that include second-degree murder and first-degree attempted robbery. The case against him is pending, prosecutors said.

Elie is due back in court on Nov. 6. He is expected to be sentenced to 17 years to life in prison, Donnelly said.