Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Man Found Guilty Of Manslaughter, Not Hate Crime Or Murder
By
Jen Chung
Published May 7, 2010
Modified May 7, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 7, 2010
Modified May 7, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, a jury found Hakim Scott guilty of manslaughter in the 2008 fatal beating of an Ecuadorean immigrant. Prosecutors Scott and his friend Keith Phoenix attacked Jose Sucuzhanay and his brother because they thought the brothers were gay, since they were holding hands while walking down a Brooklyn street. Scott, who was acquitted of hate crime charges as well as murder, faces up to 40 years in prison.
Scott and Phoenix allegedly yelled racist and anti-gay epithets at the brothers, and Scott supposedly hit Sucuzhanay (pictured) with a beer bottle while Phoenix beat him with a baseball bat. There were two juries, each deliberating the fate of Scott and Phoenix (Phoenix's jury is still deliberating today). A juror told the Daily News, "I'm guessing that Phoenix will be convicted of a hate crime but we didn't see enough evidence that Scott heard any of that. Some thought it might have been a hate crime but most of the discussion was about manslaughter or assault. The conclusion was that he held the bottle up high before he brought it down and he intended to do terrible harm and the outcome was that [Jose] died."
Sucuzhanay's relatives were upset that Scott wasn't convicted of a hate crime; one of his brothers said, "There was testimony that these words of hate were used. We believe right now would have been a perfect time to send a message against hate, intolerism and racism." Scott's lawyer said his client would appeal, "He’s upset that he was in the car with someone who committed these acts and was dragged along with him."
Tagged
brooklyn
Hakim Scott
hate crime
Jose Sucuzhanay
Keith Phoenix
manslaughter
murder
verdict
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .