Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced today that a Lido Beach man has been convicted of the murder of an Oceanside teenager in September 2019.
Tyler Flach, 21, was convicted after a jury trial before Judge Howard Sturim on charges of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony); Gang Assault in the First Degree (a B violent felony); Assault in the Third Degree (an A misdemeanor); and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (an A misdemeanor).
The trial began on October 13 and closings occurred on October 25. The defendant faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison and is expected to be sentenced on December 14.
“Khaseen Morris was a bright, funny and energetic young man who, at only 16, had his entire life in front him,” said DA Donnelly. “Morris recently moved to the Oceanside area and had attended his new high school for only ten days when Tyler Flach – enraged that Morris had walked a girl home from school – deliberately attacked Morris with a gang of seven other defendants. The defendant intentionally stabbed Morris in the chest, piercing his heart. Despite the best efforts of trauma doctors Morris lost his life later that night. We stand with the Morris family and all of Khaseen’s friends as they continue to mourn his senseless loss.”
DA Donnelly said that on September 16, 2019, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Flach and his group exited Flach’s vehicle on Brower Avenue in Oceanside and attacked 16-year-old Khaseen Morris and several of his friends during an after-school fight outside of a strip mall. During the altercation, Flach stabbed Morris in the heart and the victim’s heart stopped beating.
Morris was taken to Mount Sinai South Nassau where trauma doctors were able to revive him, however, Morris passed away at 11:55 p.m. on September 16, 2019.
Flach surrendered to the Nassau County Police Department on September 18, 2019.
Defendant Haakim Mechan is awaiting trial.
Deputy Bureau Chief Daryl Levy and Senior Litigation Counsel Ania Pulaski of the Homicide Bureau are prosecuting the case. Flach is represented by Edward Sapone, Esq, Fred Sosinsky, Esq. and Keith O’Donnell, Esq.
Mechan is represented by Aaron Wallenstein, Esq.
The charges against Mechan are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.