East Elmhurst man charged with fatal shove makes first court appearance

Eagle file photo by David Brand.

By Jonathan Sperling

The East Elmhurst tenant accused of fatally shoving his 71-year-old landlord down a flight of stairs when the landlord sought $200 in back rent blamed the victim’s own clumsiness for the fall.

Alex Garces, 22, told police that he was moving a mattress in the front of the house on Jan. 12 when Edgar Moncayo, 71, bumped into it and fell down the stairs, hitting his dead and dying a day later, the Daily News reported.

Queens prosecutors have disputed that story, pointing to high-resolution video captured by a Ring doorbell that shows man reaching out his doorway and pushing Moncayo down the steps nd onto the pavement outside the 102nd Street home. Moncayo cracked his skull on the concrete and died from his injuries

Garces was arraigned on Tuesday morning before Judge Angela Iannacci on a complaint charging him with first- and second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault. Iannacci set bail at $50,000 bond, $25,000 cash or $25,000 cash partially secured, and ordered Garces to return to court on Jan. 17. 

Garces faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Garces owed Moncayo $200 for rent of his room in the house, but did not want to pay, Moncayo’s family told the Daily News. Garces’ family said the landlord’s death was an accident.