Trial For Driver Who Killed Art Curator In Fort Greene Begins Wednesday, Records Show

FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN — The man who killed art curator Victoria Nicodemus after his car jumped the curb in 2015 is about to be tried on felony charges, court records show.

Marlon Sewell, 40, was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide after the fatal accident on Dec. 6, 2015, when his car jumped the curb on South Portland Place and struck Nicodemus, 30, her 37-year-old boyfriend and a 75-year-old woman.

Nicodemus was pronounced dead at Brooklyn Hospital while Ida Turner was treated for injuries to her legs and Gerald Toth was treated for injuries to his hand and ankle, prosecutors and police said.

Sewell, of Brownsville, was arrested at the scene, then charged with two misdemeanors for driving without a license — with a maximum of a $500 fine or 30 days in jail — and released without bail, according to Gothamist.

But Nicodemus’ family successfully petitioned Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson to up the charges.

“Victoria was our daughter and our sister,” the petition reads. “She was a dear friend to many and a devoted and doting godmother who had hoped to start a family of her own one day.”

“An innocent life was taken by a reckless, out-of-control and unlicensed driver and a 'slap on the wrist' misdemeanor charge is unacceptable.”

The Brooklyn DA's office responded with an investigation that found Sewell’s Chevy Suburban was leaking dangerous fumes into the cabin which contributed to Sewell losing control, prosecutors said.

Now prosecutors will argue in Brooklyn Criminal Court that Sewell knew the car had a leak and continued to drive even though he was feeling lightheaded, Thompson said in a 2016 statement.

Sewell’s attorney Damien Brown told DNAinfo that he believed the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office brought criminal charges against his client for political reasons.

“It seems like they’re reaching because somebody died, which is a human reaction but even more a political reaction to do something for the family,” Brown told DNAinfo.

“I certainly understand this, but right now I don’t see where the meat is on this. I think they’re stretching.”

Jury selection will begin Wednesday morning and the trial is scheduled to start Wednesday afternoon, according to Gothamist.

Sewell faces 12 charges that include three felony charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault, records show.

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