Suspects in rapper Chinx's murder face judge

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Police say they have cracked the murder case of rapper Chinx with the arrest of the alleged gunman and his accomplice.

Chinx, whose real name was Lionel Pickens Jr., was murdered behind the wheel of his luxury car in May 2015. It happened in Queens just hours after a performance at a Brooklyn nightclub.

The Queens District Attorney identified the defendants as Jamar Hill, 26, of Valley Stream, and Quincy Homere, 32, of Baldwin.

The two defendants were arraigned on a five-count indictment charging them with one count each of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Hill and Homere both pleaded not guilty.

The alleged shooters "hunted down Chinx like an animal" because of a dispute they had over a phone on Rikers Island. As Chinx's career began to soar, the alleged shooter, Homere, also known as "Q" or "Qwality" when he pursued a rap music career, became obsessed with Chinx's demise, according to sources close to the investigation.

Investigators had always believed that it was a targeted shooting.

Throughout the investigation, detectives stayed in close touch with Chinx's widow, Janelli Caceres-Pickens, and personally informed her of the arrest.

Sources told me that Homere was so brazen that he even wore a "RIP Chinx" T-shirt to the many vigils and memorials that were held for the popular and well-liked artist.

Hill and Homere are due back in court January 16, 2018. If convicted, each face up to 25 years to life in prison.