What to Know
- NY man was convicted Wednesday of 2016 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, whose bloodied body was found inside her car, prosecutors say
- Qwantrell Gilliam, 43, was found guilty of 2nd-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of weapon, DA says
- Gilliam’s sentencing is set for April 3, 2019. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison on the murder conviction
A New York man was convicted Wednesday of the 2016 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, whose bloodied body was found inside her car days after she was reported missing, prosecutors say.
Qwantrell Gilliam, 43, of Jamaica, Queens, was found guilty of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon, Chief Assistant John M. Ryan, on behalf of Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, announced Wednesday.
Gilliam’s sentencing is set for April 3, 2019. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison on the murder conviction, plus additional time for tampering with physical evidence.
“The victim in this case was found stabbed to death inside of her parked car. This was a tragic end for a woman who was victimized by someone who supposedly professed to love her. After weighing all the evidence, a jury rendered a guilty verdict and the defendant now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life locked away in prison,” Ryan said in a statement.
According to trial testimony, prosecutors say, at about 2:20 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2016, detectives — acting on a missing person’s report — discovered the body of 43-year-old Dayo Corley inside of her parked car in the area of 122nd Avenue and Lakeview Lane.
Prosecutors say Corley was brutally attacked and suffered multiple stab wounds and compression injuries to her neck and head. There was blood splattered on the floor of the vehicle and the driver’s seat, where Corley’s body was discovered.
Local
The medical examiner eventually ruled her death a homicide, caused by homicidal violence including sharp force injuries of the neck.
According to trial records, Corley was last seen before 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2016, leaving a hair salon on Merrick Boulevard, prosecutors say. They add that phone activity showed her traveling to the area of Lakeview Lane and 122nd Avenue after allegedly speaking to Gilliam.
Surveillance cameras captured Gilliam walking near 122nd Avenue, where the victim’s car was recovered, prosecutors say. He is allegedly seen walking towards Lakeview Lane, shortly after 1:50 a.m. and then at about 2:30 a.m., he is seen again on surveillance video holding a knife, opening a bottle and pouring liquid over his hands and walking towards a nearby metal trash can, disposing of the murder weapon.
According to several witnesses who testified in court, Gilliam was allegedly harassing Corley after their June 2016 break up via cell phone and he had destroyed property belonging to her in the weeks prior to the murder, Ryan said.
