Brooklyn Man Convicted in 2006 Home Invasion That Left a 9-Year-Old Boy Blind and Paralyzed

McFarlane faces up to 25 years in prison

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Jamel McFarlane has been convicted by a jury on all charges for his role in a 2006 Inwood home invasion that left a 9-year-old boy blind and paralyzed after he was shot through the right eye by one of three attackers.

McFarlane, 26, of Brooklyn, was convicted of Assault in the First Degree, three counts of Robbery in the First Degree, six counts of Burglary in the First Degree, twelve counts of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, four counts of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. He faces up to 25 years in prison at his September 9 sentencing.

Rice said that on September 23, 2006 at approximately 11:10 P.M., McFarlane and two other men entered an Inwood residence armed with handguns, ordered the occupants of the home to their knees, and demanded they turn over their valuables. As the incident unfolded, Albert Aloisi, who was in his bedroom in the rear of the house at the time the incident began, retrieved his licensed .357 caliber revolver, stepped into the hallway of the house, and confronted the perpetrators. One of the perpetrators shot at Aloisi who then returned fire with three shots, striking one of the perpetrators in the face.

Two other occupants of the home then attempted to force one of the perpetrators out the front door. As this perpetrator attempted to push his way back into the house, he fired multiple shots into the living room, striking Noor Mayan in the left arm and striking John Henry Romano, a nine-year-old boy, in the eye. Both survived the attack, but Romano was left blind and partially paralyzed.

Two co-defendants, Tyreek Williams and Rasheed Watson, were convicted for their roles in the home invasion, and sentenced to 21 and 25 years, respectively. Watson has been identified as Romano and Mayan’s shooter.

“The cornerstone of this case is the bravery of a little boy, good police work and my office’s willingness to take this case to a jury,” Rice said.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Walsh of the Major Offense Bureau is handling the case for the DA’s Office. The defendant is represented by Dana Grossblatt, Esq.