By Daniel Katzive
One of two men charged in the 2023 murder of Upper West Sider Maria Hernandez died Monday while in custody at Manhattan Criminal Court.
Terrence Moore suffered a seizure while in a holding cell at the courthouse and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel at 4:52 p.m., according to a Department of Correction statement. Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie promised “to fully investigate this tragic event to determine the circumstances surrounding his death.”
Moore was in court for a hearing regarding a psychiatric evaluation, according to Gothamist, which spoke with his attorney. The attorney told Gothamist he was not aware that Moore had any underlying physical health issues, but he said the 55-year-old had previously spent 30 years in prison after being convicted of a murder in Brooklyn when he was a teenager. State corrections records show Moore was released on parole in July 2017.
According to a February 2023 indictment, Moore and his co-defendant Lashawn Mackey, allegedly entered the apartment building of 74-year-old Maria Hernandez on West 83rd Street on January 18, 2023, the day of her murder. The pair forced open doors and cut wires to a surveillance video system, later leaving with two rolling bags belonging to Hernandez, according to the indictment. They were charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse, as well as burglary and robbery.
Mackey, 49, remains in custody on Rikers Island. He is next scheduled to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on March 24. He had previously worked as a temporary superintendent at Hernandez’s building for several months in 2022.
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Personally I wouldn’t call the death of a murderer and sexual abuser a “tragic event”, especially if it was due to natural causes. But maybe that’s just me.
It’s not just you!!
Looks like he just saved the DA’s office a whole pile of paperwork…unless his family sues.
And they will.
Sharpton/Bragg team is getting ready.
Bragg? He’s the prosecutor. Let’s not be “cute” when murder is concerned.
Ok Bragg/Sharpton.
Why is this comment so predictable?
And why is it so predictable that moderation would approve this comment? There was a case against this guy.
I’m seeing here yet another instance of death in NYC police/sherif/court custody.
He died of natural causes. Did you miss that part?
Right, and you’re sure of that, and you’re sure those causes couldn’t have been treated with effective medicine?
A good incentive to not be in custody.
Wait until you’re in custody of some sort and authorities either refuse or can’t provide you with care that would keep you alive.
People shouldn’t die while in custody, but sorry, the tragic and totally preventable event was the murder of Maria Hernandez. Anyone is accountable for getting 2 criminals access to the building without notifying tenants about their history?
Just to think about it makes angry – a convicted murderer got access to a residential building and the tenants had no clue!
I’m one of the tenants and we’re still angry . The building was never held accountable and has continued to treat us like shit
A sad end to a sad life, especially if psychiatric illness played a role. Harm suffered, harm done…lord have mercy. And on the loved ones of Ms Hernandez
RIP Ms. Hernandez. This crime gave me the chills.
It’s a pity that he didn’t get his day on court and isn’t able to live a long life sentence behind bars.
I’ll be honest, I can’t muster up any personal sympathy for this guy even in death, but medical care for prisoners in this country is beyond abysmal, and medical care should not be dependent on whether you’re sympathetic or not. You never know who’ll be making that call.
Continued condolences to Maria Hernandez’s loved ones.