Family Members Of Murder Victim Removed From Courtroom

Several family members or friends of Rahmel Perry were ushered from the courtroom at the on Tuesday morning after angrily confronting 27-year-old .

Vega was appearing at his arraignment in the higher court. He is charged with murder, criminal attempt to commit murder, first-degree assault, home invasion, and criminal possession of a firearm. He is accused of shooting and killing Perry, 21, on March 3, 2010 at a Prest Street apartment building. Two women wore homemade T-shirts bearing photos of Perry as well as the dates of his birth and death.

When Vega was brought into the courtroom, another woman stood up and began shouting at him, repeatedly saying, “No peace.” Other people joined in with profane insults, with Perry’s grandmother yelling, “You killed my grandson, you [expletive].” Vega was returned to holding while marshals took those who were shouting out of the courtroom. No arrests were made.

“You’re lucky you’re not all going to jail,” Judge Patrick J. Clifford said as they were removed.

Clifford said any other disruptions would be regarded as contempt of court. No one spoke during the ensuing court discussions, but some of the remaining attendees made parting remarks once they were closed. One person suggested that Vega will have to be placed into protective custody.

Vega is being held on $2 million cash or surety bond. Clifford appointed attorney Bruce McIntyre to represent him and set a status conference for July 27. He said a probable cause hearing will take place on Aug. 3 unless the prior discussion makes it unnecessary.

The affidavit in the file remains sealed. Senior Assistant State's Attorney Paul Narducci filed a motion to keep the document private until at least July 27 due to the ongoing investigation, and Clifford granted it.

According to prior police statements, a fight at the earlier in the evening may have led to the shooting. Witnesses said two gunmen entered the second floor apartment at 53-55 Prest Street and opened fire. Perry was killed and then 20-year-old Michael Ellis was wounded.

Police issued an arrest warrant for Vega, and he was arrested in Norcross, Ga. on unrelated drug charges on June 21, 2010. In this case, Vega was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police while then 23-year-old driver Lawrence Hibbert drove. After investigators found a handgun in the vehicle and marijuana, cocaine, three other handguns, and counterfeit money Hibbert’s house, Vega was charged with 10 counts of second-degree forgery, three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, and one count each of first-degree forgery, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, possession of cocaine, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute. Hibbert faces 10 counts of second-degree forgery, two traffic violations, and one counts each of possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, possession of cocaine, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

Vega was extradited from Georgia and made his initial appearance in the G.A. 10 Court on June 24. Originally from the Bronx, N.Y., prosecutors at that appearance said his parents and siblings live in New London.