LI Man Gets 25 Yrs. To Life For 2021 Murder: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — A Uniondale man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for killing a man during an attempted robbery in 2021, prosecutors said.

Kyle Colthirst, 20, was convicted on November 20 of second-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Uniondale man was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of a 24-year-old man during a November 2021 attempted robbery in Uniondale.

The jury deliberated for three days before returning the verdict on Tuesday.

"Kyle Colthirst hatched a plan to rob Kyle Midtlyng, luring the victim to Alexander Avenue and lying in wait for him to arrive," said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Colthirst’s set up took a deadly turn when he pulled out a loaded gun and fired, fatally striking Kyle Midtlyng. Colthirst then fled the scene, leaving his victim to die alone in the street."

On the night of Nov. 10, 2021, Donnelly said, Colthirst and three co-defendants against whom charges are currently still pending, went to a residence in Uniondale to rob 24-year-old Kyle Midtlyng.

Colthirst entered the front passenger side of the victim’s vehicle and moments later shot Midtlyng once in the right side, piercing both lungs and his aorta, Donnelly said.

A shell casing was recovered from the passenger side floorboard of the victim’s vehicle and blood droplets were found on the sidewalk of Lee Road that matched Colthirst’s DNA.

Co-defendant Tariq Pitaud, 21, of West Babylon, was indicted and arraigned on April 5, 2022. Co-defendant Khamari Elie, 20, of Hempstead, was indicted and arraigned on November 9, 2023. Co-defendant Tyrel Cason Jr., 21, of South Farmingdale, was indicted and arraigned on November 27, 2023.

They each face charges of second-degree murder, first-degree attempted robbery and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Colthrist's attorney said he will appeal the conviction, Newsday reported.

"This defendant [is] accountable for his inexcusable violence and for senselessly taking another young man’s life," Donnelly said.