Cedric Sandiford; Victim in Howard Beach Attack

Cedric Sandiford, 41, who was nearly beaten to death by a mob of white youths in New York City’s Howard Beach racial attack, and became the prosecution’s key witness at the trial. Sandiford, a machine mechanic, was severely beaten by a gang of white youths the morning of Dec. 20, 1986, when he, his stepson Michael Griffith and Timothy Grimes walked to a Queens pizzeria after their car broke down. Griffith was struck and killed by a car on the highway as he tried to flee the gang. Three men were convicted of second-degree manslaughter. Six others pleaded guilty or were convicted of lesser charges. During the trial, defense lawyers hit hard at his past problems with drugs and alcohol. On Tuesday in New York of the complications of AIDS.