DJ Megatron murder suspects confessed to slaying, prosecutors allege

Staten Island Advance/Michael OatesWilliam (Billy) Williams is led out of the 120 Police Precinct stationhouse in St. George prior to his arraignment.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The two Clifton men accused of gunning down DJ Megatron in a botched robbery down the block from his Stapleton home last month confessed to the crime in video and witness statements, prosecutors say.
That detail was released today, as the slain TV and radio personality’s family members watched the two suspects, William (Billy) Williams, 21, and Richmond Cromwell, 20, arraigned in Stapleton Criminal Court.
Williams and Cromwell both pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in connection with the March 27 death of Megatron, whose real name was Corey McGriff, 32.
Judge Alan J. Meyer ordered both held without bail until their next court appearance.
The courtroom remained quiet as Williams, dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt, and

DJ Megatron's suspected shooter escorted from Staten Island's 120th Precinct stationhouse William (Billy) Williams, 21, is expected to be arraigned in Criminal Court in Stapleton later this morning. Richard Cromwell, 20, also arrested yesterday, was not walked. Watch video

Cromwell, in a black hooded sweatshirt, stood before the judge.
Prosecutors allege that the two men followed McGriff out of 320 Vanderbilt Ave. at about 2 a.m., and trailed him for about a block.
"They caught up with him, they surrounded him and they attempted to rob him," Assistant District Attorney Adam Silberlight said.
McGriff fought back, and during the physical struggle, Williams shot the victim once in the chest, prosecutors contend.
Cromwell then allegedly took the victim’s watch — an inexpensive but sentimental gift from McGriff’s 11-year-old daughter, according to family members — and one of his cell phones.
Investigators later found the watch discarded in a Dumpster, law enforcement sources said.
Silberlight said police had statements in writing and on video from each man about their role in the attack.
Williams’ lawyer, Mario Gallucci, said he doubted prosecutors’ claims that they had confessions from the suspects.
"It’s a tragedy that a rising star such as Corey McGriff’s life had to end so tragically," Mario Gallucci, William’s attorney, said. "However I beg of you do not rush to judgment on behalf of Mr. Williams. We are conducting our own investigation that began today."
As of this afternoon, no written statements had been entered into the public criminal court file on the case.
Cromwell’s lawyer, Manuel Ortega, declined comment today.
Both suspects have criminal backgrounds, and public records show Williams had been released on parole just three months prior to the shooting following an attempted burglary conviction.
Though a woman yelled out obscenities at Williams as detectives led him from the 120th Precinct Stationhouse in St. George this morning, McGriff’s family members declined comment outside the courthouse.