The trial for three men accused of drugging, robbing, and in some cases, causing the deaths of gay men in Manhattan has begun. Prosecutors allege that Jayqwan Hamilton, Jacob Barroso, and Robert DeMaio targeted their victims outside clubs, drugging them before stealing their money and valuables. Two victims, Julio Ramirez (25) and John Umberger (33), died as part of the scheme.
Prosecutors: A Scheme to Steal and Leave Victims Unconscious
Assistant District Attorney Emily Ching described the accused as predators who “waited in the wings” to target clubgoers who were alone. She claimed they were only interested in stealing as much as possible, often leaving their victims unconscious.
According to investigators, between March 2021 and July 2022, the defendants lured victims into trusting them, then allegedly drugged them with fentanyl and cocaine. Once the victims were disoriented, the suspects stole their phones, drained their bank accounts, and went on shopping sprees.
Defense Challenges the Allegations
Attorneys for the accused men pushed back against the prosecution’s claims, arguing that the case is not as clear-cut as it appears.
- Dean Vigliano, DeMaio’s attorney, told the jury, “We all know the world is not that way,” suggesting the case is more complex than the prosecution presents.
- David Krauss, Barroso’s attorney, emphasized the need for strong evidence, stating, “You make serious charges like this, you have to come up with proof, you can’t make assumptions.”
Survivor Testifies About Drugging and Robbery
The trial’s first witness, a survivor of the alleged scheme, described his harrowing experience.
- He testified that two of the defendants came to his hotel before he later woke up groggy and disoriented.
- He recalled feeling a “numb, empty feeling” unlike anything he had experienced before.
- He then realized his two phones were missing, and there were thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges on his bank accounts.
Heartbreaking Testimony from Victim’s Mother
The trial also featured emotional testimony from John Umberger’s mother, who described him as her best friend.
- She said she became worried in May 2022 when she hadn’t heard from her son for four days.
- She requested a police wellness check, which led to the devastating discovery.
- “I did learn from another officer that they had found John, and John was dead,” she testified.
Evidence and Prior Guilty Pleas
Prosecutors say they will prove their case using video footage, text messages, and social media posts. The evidence aims to show that the accused men systematically targeted victims and carried out their scheme.
Meanwhile, two other men connected to the case, Shane Hoskins and Andre Butts, have already pleaded guilty.
- Hoskins pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in the first degree and Butts pleaded guilty to robbery in the first degree.
- Both were sentenced to eight years in prison as part of a plea deal.
The trial against Jayqwan Hamilton, Jacob Barroso, and Robert DeMaio is expected to reveal more details about the alleged scheme. The prosecution argues that the defendants deliberately targeted gay men for financial gain, leaving some victims unconscious and two dead.
The defense, however, is challenging the strength of the evidence. As the trial progresses, testimony from survivors and key witnesses will be crucial in determining the outcome.
