Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Queens man was arraigned on murder and other charges for allegedly kicking and stomping another man’s head and killing him after the two got into an auto accident in Baldwin in April.
Patrick Destine, 26, was arraigned today before Judge Howard Sturim on charges of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony); Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (an E felony); and two counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol (an unclassified misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty and remains remanded. Destine is due back in court on July 27, 2023. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
“After a late-night collision in Baldwin, an intoxicated Patrick Destine allegedly followed the victim, David McKenzie, and repeatedly kicked and stomped on his head and left him to die just steps away from his home,” said DA Donnelly. “When the defendant was taken into custody, he also had McKenzie’s credit card and identification. David McKenzie was a father and grandfather, and our thoughts remain with his family as they grieve his loss.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, on April 15, 2023, at approximately 11:02 p.m., 54-year-old David McKenzie, the victim, was driving his 2003 Honda near Shuman Place and Forest Avenue in Baldwin when he collided with a 2004 Infiniti driven by Patrick Destine and carrying two passengers, including co-defendant Aisha Pitt, causing damage to both vehicles.
After the crash, the victim allegedly began to walk away from the crash site and the defendant followed him. The defendant then allegedly began kicking and stomping on the victim’s head multiple times.
The victim’s credit card and his driver’s license were also taken.
When police arrived on scene, they found the victim on the ground bleeding from the head. He was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at approximately 12:06 a.m. on April 16, 2023.
Destine and Pitt were allegedly walking away from the scene of the crash when police arrived.
Both defendants were placed into custody by the Nassau County Police Department and transported to Nassau University Medical Center.
Pitt, 19, of Elmont, was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree; Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree (an A misdemeanor); Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor); Resisting Arrest (an A misdemeanor); and Disorderly Conduct (a violation). Pitt was subsequently charged with an additional count of Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony) on April 17, 2023. Pitt’s cases are pending before Judge Teresa Corrigan. Her next court date is June 28, 2023.
Deputy Bureau Chief Daryl Levy of the Homicide Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Alexander DePalo of the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau are prosecuting the cases. Destine is represented by Robert Tsigler, Esq. Pitt is represented by Adam Neal, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.