[QGGuido]

2 brothers charged in go-go bar slayings
Saturday, January 29, 2005
BY JENNIFER GOLSON
Star-Ledger Staff
Police have charged two brothers in a deadly double stabbing at a go-go bar in Elizabeth.

Steven Melendez, 28, and Luis Melendez 34, both of Irvington, were charged with murder in the fatal fight that occurred Jan. 15 at Lookers on Dowd Avenue.


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Michael J. Killeen III, 26, of Bloomfield was stabbed in the chest, and Kevin Davis, 28, of Belleville was stabbed in the neck during the brawl, said Lt. Gary Lewis.

Luis Melendez turned himself to Elizabeth police about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Lewis said. Bail was set at $250,000.

His brother was arrested at 9 p.m. Wednesday at a Bronx apartment by Elizabeth detectives Paul Pasternak and Louchaun Holmes and homicide detective William Mannix of the Union County Prosecutor's Office.

Steven Melendez was being held in New York yesterday awaiting extradition, Lewis said, crediting the New York Police Department and the U.S. Marshal's New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force for their help.

The brawl was reported shortly before 2:30 a.m. that Saturday morning. The fight started with two men and escalated to five participants, police said.

Killeen was stabbed while inside the club, and Davis was attacked in the parking lot while trying to outrun his attackers, police have said.

The assailants left the scene in a dark-green Lexus. Descriptions and license plate information were critical in advancing the investigation, police said.

Union Township police found the car the next day on the border of Irvington, Lewis said.

"These brothers, both charged with first-degree murder in connection with this violent and senseless attack, are in custody facing prosecution because of a relentless investigation by three detectives, said Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow.

Street sources helped lead police to the defendants. Steven Melendez was staying at an apartment with relatives in New York, according to the prosecutor's office.

The victims and the suspects apparently did not know each other before the fight, Romankow said.

Luis Melendez went to police headquarters after he retained an attorney.

"That's what innocent people do," said his lawyer, Anthony Pope. His client plans to plead not guilty, Pope said.

The arrests brought some relief to Killeen's mother, Ilia Killeen.

"It's not going to change anything," she said. "I just don't want them walking the streets."

Killeen was her only son, and talking about him led her to tears.

"He was very, very caring, and now, after this, we're finding out from so many friends how much he went out of his way to help them," she said. "We have gotten so many letters and cards from people we don't even know."

The arrest doesn't bring much solace, but she added that the police have been good about keeping in touch.

For now, Ilia Killeen said she doesn't know what she would say to the defendants.

"I'm just very curious why they decided to use a weapon instead of their hands," she said. "What could have been said that you needed to take somebody's life?"



Jennifer Golson covers Elizabeth. She can be reached at jgolson@star ledger.com or (908) 527-4012.

[mellie24]

are they columbian??


no for real, good. hope they fry.

[0u812]

I hope they throw the book at them.

[DOLO-e46]

horrible. i hope these kids get the max penalty and are raped in prison over and over again.
anyone know what the fight started over?

[Drama]

It's good to know that they actually found 2 of the guys and are doing something about this. The 3rd guy is still out there though.

[mellie24]

DOLO-e46, on Jan 31 2005, 09:16 AM, said:

horrible. i hope these kids get the max penalty and are raped in prison over and over again.
anyone know what the fight started over?

a chick.

[Drama]

DOLO-e46, on Jan 31 2005, 09:16 AM, said:

horrible. i hope these kids get the max penalty and are raped in prison over and over again.
anyone know what the fight started over?

It was over one of their girlfriends.

[DJaisDiva]

Such a shame. I hope the 2 rat out the 3rd since they have nothing else going on, I think they will, then all 3 will hopefully get the max.

No death penalty out here though..so the worst that can happen is they rot in jail & we support them for life.

Thats a shame

[jasmine]

glad those assholes got caught!

[Buff Chick]

Bastards!

[QGGuido]

the one brother gave up his own brother as a plea bargain.

[mellie24]

QGGuido, on Jan 31 2005, 09:43 AM, said:

the one brother gave up his own brother as a plea bargain.

niiicceeeeeeeee.

[jerryc njnyc]

best news ive hear in a long ass time!!

[0u812]

QGGuido, on Jan 31 2005, 09:43 AM, said:

the one brother gave up his own brother as a plea bargain.

Not even remotely surprising, all things considered. :mad3:

[MC LenE]

Ill be totally honest i didnt know them i only knew mike from seein him in school , but the fucks who did it deserve every bit of punishment torture they get , SCUMBAGS like that dont deserve to be alive or let alone walk the streets

[pazzabella69]

glad they caught them, may they rot in jail.

[italia]

i heard this weekend!!! so F-IN happy i am.

[vixen]

I especially love how the rat brother's lawyer said that innocent people turn themselves in.


Sure they do.

In fact, I'm on my way to the first police station I come across, and I'm going to turn my innocent self in for committing all sorts of crimes.

[dani]

so glad they were caught

[mellie24]

vixen, on Jan 31 2005, 10:29 AM, said:

In fact, I'm on my way to the first police station I come across, and I'm going to turn my innocent self in for committing all sorts of crimes.