Eviction dispute prompted Queens Village man to kill landlord’s son, prosecutors say

By Jonathan Sperling

A Queens Village man who allegedly killed his landlord’s son during a heated argument was facing eviction proceedings, prosecutors said Thursday.

Hopeton Prendergast, 64, was arrested on Wednesday, less than a month after cops say he stabbed Duwayne Campbell to death inside of a house on 220th Street near 103rd Avenue. Campbell was 23. Prendergast was arraigned Thursday before Judge Karina Alomar on charges of  second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

If convicted, Prendergast faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

“The defendant in this case allegedly stabbed the homeowner’s son following a heated dispute. The defendant — now in custody — faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life behind bars for his alleged actions,” said Acting Queens District Attorney John Ryan.

Prendergast and Campbell were sharing the home on 220th Street on Sept. 29 when they became engaged in a heated argument, according to prosecutors. The fight turned physical and Prendergast allegedly stabbed Campbell multiple times in the chest. 

Campbell was taken to North Shore Manhasset Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A total of 32 murders were recorded by the NYPD in the Queens South patrol district between Jan. 1, 2019 and Oct. 13, 2019.