2 men plead not guilty in murder of Staten Island aspiring rapper

View full sizeFamily photoDidier Jean, 26, was gunned down on May 3.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The two men accused of slaying an aspiring rapper three weeks ago in Port Richmond pleaded not guilty today at their arraignments on murder and weapon charges.
Ricardo (Paco) Mendez, 18, and David Peart, 20, were indicted in connection with the May 3 shooting death of Didier Jean, 26, outside 60 Harrison Ave. Both suspects live on Lockman Avenue, Mariners Harbor.
Authorities say Peart accompanied Mendez and provided Mendez with the .45 caliber handgun that he used to kill Jean.
Mendez, a reputed member of the Crips street gang, told detectives that Jean had "disrespected" him in a prior argument, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation.
Mendez knew to look for Jean on Harrison Avenue near Port Richmond Avenue, and shot Jean as he sat in his car, hitting him in the eye, the source said.
Mendez was charged with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal weapon possession. Peart was charged with murder and four counts of second-degree weapon possession.
Peart’s lawyer, Eugene Lamb, said his client denies the accusations.
"We’re going forward with the case," Lamb said after the proceeding in state Supreme Court, St. George.
Mendez’s lawyer, Thomas Reilly, could not immediately be reached for comment.