2 Freeport Men Sentenced For 2021 Murder, Robbery: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — Two Freeport men have been sentenced for the 2021 shooting death and robbery of a Long Beach man, prosecutors announced.

Eric Baldwin, 27, pleaded guilty in September to charges that included second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree robbery. He was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison.

Corey Grier, 29, pleaded guilty in September to a count of first-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision.

"Eric Baldwin and Corey Grier helped lure 28-year-old James Diamond to his death, when they convinced the young man to meet them in Freeport," Nassau DA Anne Donnelly said. "Diamond had just been awarded a settlement check and had more than $50,000 in cash on him when Eric Baldwin shot Diamond in a struggle for the money."

According to the indictment, on September 10, 2021, Diamond, 28, and a friend, drove to a law firm in Long Beach to pick up a check for $55,000, that Diamond was awarded as part of a lawsuit.

After receiving the check, the pair picked up Corey Grier and drove to a check-cashing business.

Ultimately, a struggle ensued, and Diamond was shot once in the abdomen by Baldwin, who took Diamond’s bag filled with cash and fled, Donnelly said.

The victim worked as a tradesman and was an aspiring musician.

"[He] was a popular and talented young man who was taken too early," Donnelly said.