Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lawyer Requests Bail Reduction For Prep School Gun Mule
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 2, 2011
Modified Mar 2, 2011
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
Jaya Saxena
Published Mar 2, 2011
Modified Mar 2, 2011
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
Harlem seems to be conflicted over what to do about Afrika Owes, the former straight-A student who is now being held at Rikers after being charged with carrying guns to the 137th Street Crew. Harlem's Reverend Calvin Butts says she's been led astray, and even compared her to Patty Hearst. And now lawyer Elsie Chandler has filed papers asking for a reduction or dismissal of her bail, claiming Owes is "full of promise, brilliant, kind and deeply troubled."
Many of Owes's former teachers also wrote letters. KIPP STAR charter school official Margaret Runyan-Shefa wrote, "Toward the end of my tenure as principal, Afrika began straying off the course many people thought she was destined to follow," and the wife of one of her Deerfield Academy teachers said, "It was obvious to those who knew her that her life was not without struggles. She was distracted with worry about home and family." However, at least one Harlem parent thinks struggles at home are no excuse for a life of crime. Jackie Rowe-Adams said, "These kids gotta learn a lesson. They cannot come out on no bail. ... She needs to be rehabilitated because something is mighty wrong."
Prosecutors busted Owes after tapping phone calls she conducted with boyfriend Jaquan Layne, who is currently at Rikers for armed robbery. They reportedly spoke about moving guns and made plans to move to Pennsylvania and continue his drug trade. She is currently being held on $50,000 bail.
Tagged
137th street crew
afrika owes
jail
rev. calvin butts
rikers
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
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 .