Some sense of closure may be on the way in the 2015 murder of beloved rapper Chinx. Now, one of the suspects has pleaded guilty.
Quincy Homere, 32, is one of two defendants in the drive-by shooting case and could face up to 23 years in prison.
Sources close to the investigation suggest that Homere, also known as “Q” or “Qwality,” was envious of Chinx, born Lionel Pickens Jr. SMH.
In an emotional statement, Chinx’s widow, Janelli Caceres, spoke to Lisa Evers in an exclusive interview, sharing her emotional experience in court:
“It was pretty emotional. I literally cried the whole time sitting there, actually staring at him, because there’s so many different thoughts and words running through your head, and you know you have to keep your composure,” Caceres said.
Get this: Caceres, a mother of three, has collaborated with NYPD detectives for years to bring the suspects to justice. She thanked the NYPD, the Queens District Attorney, and Chinx’s friends and fans for keeping his memory alive.
“A lot of sadness, a lot of hurt, a lot of anger. The DA sat with me most of the time until it was time for him to present, but I was there by myself, so it was a lot,” she added.
If you recall, nearly ten years ago, Lionel Pickens Jr. was murdered in May 2015 while sitting in his luxury car in Queens after performing at a Brooklyn nightclub. He was signed to French Montana’s record label and had a hit song on hip-hop radio station HOT 97.
Outside the flashy persona, Chinx was also a devoted family man, raising two daughters and a son with his wife, Janelli. At his death, the couple was looking to buy a house for their growing family. Unbelievable sadness then from the heinous act, and it still holds today.
Looking back on the legal proceedings, Caceres said, “We definitely believe it should have been at least a murder 2 charge, but unfortunately with the odds that were against us, and the laws of the state of New York, it made it very hard to pursue that.” In 2017, the Queens District Attorney identified Homere and Jamar Hill, 26, of Valley Stream, as suspects in the case.
Queens DA Melinda Katz issued a statement expressing hope that the sentence would comfort the Pickens family. “My office never gives up in our pursuit of justice. Lionel Pickens, an accomplished recording artist, was senselessly gunned down by Quincy Homere… We hope that this sentence will provide the Pickens family with some measure of comfort as they continue to mourn his loss.”
Caceres also expressed relief at the resolution of the case. “It’s closure for us so now I know there are no more court appearances after this, someone is being held accountable for what happened, so it’s a start,” she said. She also noted the importance of avoiding a prolonged trial. “A tough situation to put me and my children through, as well as certain family members and friends, because unfortunately we would have had to be part of the case and it would have dragged on for years.”
