New York’s Black Hand of Death

History is the skeleton of life. Actions, battles, events— everything has ripple effects that mold our present and future. While keeping up with the news of the modern-day pestilence known as Coronavirus, I found myself rewinding the hands of time and exploring the growth of my hometown— New York City. The Big Apple is considered the cultural center of the world. Regardless of one’s stance on that, the city’s rich history can't be denied. Instead of going on some huge spiel about the past, I figured I’d regale my audience with a Shakespearean tale that touched me after doing so much research about it.

There once was a despot known as Preacher. He had sections of Harlem and the South Bronx under his heel during the 80s and 90s. With lieutenants NYPD officer John Cuff and military veteran Anthony Boatwright by his side, nothing was out of Preacher’s grasp. His reach knew no bounds. In the ecosystem of New York's underworld, Preacher and his organization were apex predators. They extorted drug dealers, kidnapped the relatives of their rivals, and if they received any resistance from their enemies… Well, there’s a reason Preacher was nicknamed the ‘Black Hand of Death.’

Clarence “Preacher” Heatley

At one point, Preacher and his organization kidnapped William Donnell Porter, the younger brother of Harlem kingpin Rich Porter, and held the boy for ransom. They severed William’s finger and sent it to the Porter family as proof that they indeed had the young man. Before Rich could collect the ransom money for his younger brother, he was found dead on a Bronx beach. Realizing the only person capable of paying the ransom was dead, the Preacher organization murdered William and dumped his body in the same beach where his brother was found.

Tired of watching the Preacher organization act with impunity, and a child among its victims, the F.B.I sprung into action. They collected evidence on every member of the Preacher organization. The feds took Preacher soldiers off the board. Some became informants; others remained loyal to Preacher and were condemned to life sentences. While this was happening, a schism occurred between his two lieutenants, Cuff and Boatwright. Both men attempted to convince the despot to murder the other. Preacher chose Cuff, ordering Boatwright's execution.

The noose around Preacher’s neck tightened. With a lieutenant dead, soldiers turning on him, and the F.B.I mounting more evidence against him, Preacher’s entire foundation shattered beneath his feet. The feds arrested him and the remaining members of his organization. With Preacher behind bars, the prosecution sought the death penalty for him. To avoid a fate he’s doled out to others, the Black Hand of Death turned informant, giving up many subordinates (including his own children). Preacher removed his head from the guillotine by cooperating with the feds. He, however, doomed his existence as a free man, earning a 225-year sentence for his crimes.

Preacher’s Son and Enforcer, Shaka

The F.B.I shattered Preacher’s hold over multiple sections of the Big Apple, freeing those who lived in terror under his reign, bringing justice to those Preacher and his organization had wronged. Even though Preacher’s actions can never be undone, he will never be a threat to anyone in the free world ever again. With the Preacher saga over, I realize life goes on. Through rain, sleet, snow, sickness, or a hail of gunfire, life moves forward always.