By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — The man accused of fatally stabbing a 19-year-old aspiring boxer from Midtown West on Oct. 3 appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Exequiel Reyes, 23, of Fordham Heights, is accused of murdering Omar Gasper, and he was in court as his attorney filed preliminary motions in the case.
On the night of the alleged murder, Reyes met up with friends and bought two cases of cold Coronas in the Bronx before driving to the Upper East Side for a party in an unfurnished, unoccupied apartment, owned by a friend's relative, Reyes told police, according to court documents.
Reyes then said they parked a black Honda on First Avenue and walked to 309 E. 75th St. for the gathering, which lasted until about 4 a.m., and had been peaceful until a fight erupted on the street near the building, the documents continued.
During the brawl, Reyes allegedly pulled a knife from his back pocket and continued to fight. He told police he did not think he stabbed Gasper.
Reyes then allegedly tossed the knife in a sewer and hailed a cab to go home, according to court documents.
The two had apparently never met before the party.
Casper had been training as a fighter at a gym on Church Street and was preparing for his first match, his brother Carlos Gasper said. He was also taking GED classes in Chelsea.
"He had a lot of plans and dreams he wanted to accomplish," said Luisa Gaspar, the victim's mother.
