Former Cyclones Star Charged With Murder

A former star running back for who led the Cyclones to its last Nassau County football championship in 2001 was arrested on Thursday in connection to a in Hempstead last November.

Bryant Daniels, 27, of Rockville Centre, was charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of a 40-year-old man during a botched robbery outside of a Hempstead home on Nov. 4.

James Rutledge, 20, of Rockville Centre, and Ramona Butler, 23, of Hempstead, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the same case last year.

According to Nassau County Homicide Detectives, on Nov. 4, Melvin Wells, 40, was found fatally shot on the sidewalk in front of 133 Linden Ave. in Hempstead at 8:35 p.m.

Officials said Butler setup an unknown man, and Rutledge and Daniels robbed the victim. Wells witnessed the robbery and fired his own gun at the suspects, who in turn fired back and killed him.

Daniels was a star running back for the Cyclones from 1999-2001, leading South Side to a Nassau County championship in 2001 with one of, if not the greatest single-game performance in South Side football history. Daniels rushed for 397 yards and four touchdowns against heavy-favorite Lawrence in a 54-24 win, capturing South Side's first Nassau County title since 1979.

Daniels finished his career with 3,710 yards, eighth most in Nassau County football history.

Daniels was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Friday.