A city man who is among 10 accused of the February 2010 torture-murders of an alleged gang rival and his girlfriend has been indicted by a Camden County grand jury in connection with a pair of shootings the day before that incident, Camden County Prosecutor Warren W. Faulk said Wednesday.
Kuasheim “Piesto” Powell, 25, of Berkley Street, is charged in the presentment with two counts each of attempted murder and aggravated assault and weapons offenses.
Powell is accused of shooting two Camden brothers, Tyee and Tomeik Harris, 22 and 21, outside a NJ Transit train stop at 36th Street and River Road in Pennsauken Township on Feb. 21, 2010. It is alleged Powell got in an argument with Tyee Harris after Harris said hello to Powell’s girlfriend in passing. Harris called his brother to help him and shortly after Tomeik Harris arrived Powell drew a gun and shot them both. It is alleged he fled on foot.
Powell is also accused of participating in killing Muriah Huff, 18, of Cinnaminson Township and Michael Hawkins, 23, of Mount Holly Township at a home on Berkley Street here on Feb. 22, 2010. Powell is the alleged triggerman in Hawkins murder. After Hawkins was shot to death, Powell allegedly came downstairs, pistol-whipped Huff and ordered others to “finish her off.”
Huff was beaten with a wooden chair until it fell apart, punched, choked and had a plastic bag placed over her head. A 14-year-old girl, Sharara Carter, admitted she attempted to stab her. Carter is serving a 20-year term.
The victims were buried in a shallow snow-covered grave. Carter is among two of the defendants who have pleaded guilty in connection with the murders.
