By Rich Bockmann
An Ozone Park man who worked for the city Parks Department was charged Wednesday with murdering a co-worker the day before at a recreation center in Flushing, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
According to the charges, 51-year-old Robert Swann allegedly stabbed fellow Parks employee Ezra Black, 31, with a knife in the torso Tuesday around 3:20 p.m. inside the Al Oerter Recreation Center, Brown said.
Swann then left the scene with the knife, which he discarded along with the clothes he was wearing in a grass field near Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Brown said.
When he was arrested, Swann allegedly admitted to police he had stabbed his co-worker, according to the district attorney.
“The defendant is accused of the senseless stabbing death of a co-worker. His alleged actions have left a young man dead and the defendant is now facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison,” the DA said.
Swann was charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon.
He was ordered held without bail and to return to court on Sept. 18. The DA said Swann faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
