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Nov. 16, 2015 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today that Gifton a.k.a. Michael Cousins (DOB 05/05/67) of Gordon Street, St. Andrews, Jamaica was arraigned on an indictment charging him with:

  • one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class “A” Felony and
  • one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class “A” Misdemeanor.

On Sept. 12, 1996 at the Pelham Country Club in Pelham Manor, the defendant who was employed as a caddy, got into a dispute with the victim, 23-year-old Jason Campbell, a fellow caddy in the area of the caddy yard.

At some point the argument became physical at which time Cousins pulled out a knife and stabbed Campbell in the chest.

Campbell managed to stumble into the Pro Shop at the golf course where he collapsed. An ambulance was called.

The defendant ran in the direction of Boston Post Road. A K-9 officer with the Pelham Manor Police Department discovered the knife while in pursuit of Cousins. DNA traces discovered on the knife belonged to the victim.

Campbell later died at New Rochelle Hospital.

Cousins fled the country. He was located this year in Kingston, Jamaica. Late last week, Cousins was taken into custody and brought back to Westchester.

The defendant pled not guilty and was remanded.

The defendant’s next court date is Dec. 2, 2015.

He faces a maximum sentence of twenty-five years to life in state prison. Deputy District Attorney Timothy Ward of the Superior Court Trial Division is prosecuting the case.

 

Gifton Cousins

Gifton Cousins

 

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.