Convicted murderer/former top lieutenant for born to kill gang handwritten letter envelope set

The gang, which committed its crimes almost exclusively against Asians, extorted 'protection' money from Asian restaurants and other businesses, creating a lucrative enterprise, authorities said.

'With this verdict, we believe we have taken out the heart of perhaps the most violent gang in New York City,' said U.S. Attorney Andrew Maloney after a jury in federal court in Brooklyn announced the verdict.

'The victimization of members of the Asian community by violent gangs will not go unpunished,' Maloney said.

Those convicted included the gang's founder and leader, David Thai, 36, and two of his top lieutenants, Lan Ngoc Tran, 29, and Lv Hong, 28, all of Melville, N.Y..

Thai and Tran were convicted of the execution-style murder of Sen Van Ta, a witness to the robbery of a Chinatown jewelry store committed by several Born to Kill members.

Evidence showed Thai plotted the slaying and Tran carried it out March10, 1991.

The defendants also were convicted of robbery or planning to rob Asian-owned businesses in Chinatown as well as in Rochester, N.Y., Connecticut, Georgia and Tennessee, and extorting several businesses in and near Canal Street.