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'SaveMannyStax.com' Asks for $300K for Alleged Murderer Legal Fees

By Mathew Katz | October 28, 2011 6:55pm
savemannystax.com, a website devoted to defending Manuel Pinero's reputation during his upcoming trial for alleged second-degree murder.
savemannystax.com, a website devoted to defending Manuel Pinero's reputation during his upcoming trial for alleged second-degree murder.
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savemannystax.com

CHELSEA — Online supporters of a club promoter accused of murdering a young Morningside Heights dad have set up a website requesting donations for his legal defense fund.

The site, savemannystax.com, directs supporters of Manuel Pinero, also known by his promoter name "Manny Stax," to a page on the fundraising site GiveForward. Both the site and a Twitter account associated with it had been down for weeks, but came back online Thursday.

Authorities charged Pinero, 41, of stabbing Christopher Adames, 23, to death after allegedly getting into an altercation with him outside the Juliet Supperclub on West 21st Street following a night of partying.

"He's fighting for his life, we don't need another victim on our hands," the site reads. "To bring him home we need to raise funds for attorney fees."

The site also encourages supporters to submit pictures of themselves with Pinero, several of which appear on the site and appear to show him partying at the Juliet Supperclub.

The fund has a goal of raising $300,000. As of Friday afternoon, a handful of donors had given a total of $275.

The site's creator responded to emails Friday, but declined to discuss the fund and declined to identify themselves.

Prosecutors said last month that Pinero should be held without bail because he is a flight risk because he has access to financial resources, evidenced by a $1.3 million home in New Jersey and at least two luxury cars.

Aaron Altman, who had been representing Pinero, said that he was unaware of the site and the fund. However, the attorney said that he was no longer representing Pinero in the case, and that the club promoter had recently retained high-profile criminal defense lawyer Michael Dowd. This is the second time Pinero has switched lawyers since turning himself in to authorities after the incident.

Dowd could not be reached for comment.

Pinero's next court date is Nov. 3, and the site encourages Pinero's supporters to attend the appearance in large numbers.

"There are a lot of people hurting in this process," the site reads. "Please continue to pray for Manny and for Chris, R.I.P."