By Shayna Jacobs and Ben Fractenberg
DNAinfo Staff
MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — The promoter accused of killing a 23-year-old Morningside Heights dad outside a Chelsea nightclub where Lebron James was partying owns a home worth $1.3 million in New Jersey and at least two luxury cars, prosecutors said.
Manuel Pinero, 41, of the Lower East Side, was held without bail after being arraigned on second degree murder charges in Manhattan Criminal Court Thursday night.
Prosecutors argued that the suspect, who is also known as Manny Stax, is a flight risk because he has the means to go on the run and didn't immediately surrender after the incident.
"The defendant fled the scene in his Audi and eluded being arrested for approximately two days," prosecutor Virginia Nguyen.
"He also has access to financial resources [including] a $1.3 million dollar home in New Jersey and at least two luxury cars in his name."
Pinero — who has a previous conviction for possessing a loaded firearm, but was sentenced to probation — allegedly got into an altercation with Adames early Monday morning outside of Juliet Supperclub on West 21st Street after a night of partying.
Sources said Adames started speaking with several women outside the club when he was stabbed from behind numerous times.
Pinero then allegedly fled in a black Audi and was on the lam until he turned himself in Wednesday.
Defense attorney Stephen McCarthy confirmed that his client worked at the club, but said he was not the stabber.
"There's absolutely no witness to the stabbing here," McCarthy said.
Pinero is due back in court on Oct. 4.
