By Phil Corso
The two Bronx men charged with murder in the January slaying of a Flushing teacher were arraigned Thursday and could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, the Queens District Attorney said.
Cecil Golden, 20, and Elijah Agyepong, 19, faced charges of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery in connection with the strangulation death of 53-year-old David Rangel, Queens DA Richard Brown said. Both defendants had allegedly entered Rangel’s apartment at 91st Street and 32nd Avenue in Jackson Heights sometime between Jan. 25 and Jan. 27 and killed him by placing a couch on top of his body as they ransacked his home, Brown said.
Both were held without bail with a return court date set for April 4, Brown said.
“The defendants are accused of callously taking the life of a Queens teacher and stealing his cell phone and iPad,” Brown said. “Their alleged actions have caused a great deal of pain to the victim’s friends and family, and show little regard for human life.”
Rangel was originally from Monterrey, Mexico. He taught Spanish to seventh- and eighth-graders at PS/MS 219, at 144-39 Gravett Road in Flushing. He had died of compression of the neck and torso, according to the medical examiner.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
