The Syracuse Setup: Inside the Case of Nahkeen Lewis-Bush

Start with the evidence — not the rumor.

In this episode of LFTG Radio, we speak directly with Nahkeen Lewis-Bush, calling in from Sing Sing Correctional Facility, where he is serving a 40-year sentence for a case that, according to the record, involved no victim testimony, no shot fired, and sworn affidavits clearing him of responsibility.

This conversation begins with the human reality behind the paperwork: life on state parole, sleeping in a rescue mission, scraping together money on a rainy night in Syracuse — and how a paid ride would later become the foundation of a prosecution’s theory. From there, we move deliberately into the documents that define freedom or confinement in New York State: grand jury minutes, affidavits, discovery failures, and alleged violations of the state’s speedy trial rules.

Nahkeen explains why the grand jury minutes are central to his claim of innocence, asserting they show the alleged victim never described himself as a victim and never appeared at trial — despite jurors being told he would. We examine the prosecution’s shifting theory, the absence of witness statements, and sworn affidavits from co-defendants stating Nahkeen did nothing. We also discuss plea negotiations that dropped from 15 years to 6, the pressure of trial penalties, and the unsettling reality that he has now served more time than the offer he refused.

Inside the walls, Nahkeen describes surviving through faith, prayer, and relentless self-education, while helping others navigate appeals and post-conviction relief — a reminder that in a system built on deadlines and disclosures, knowledge can move cases when institutions stall.

This is not a debate episode. It is a record-based conversation.

If justice is supposed to be the product of due process plus facts, this case raises serious questions about whether either was honored.

📄 Related reporting and source documents:

• The Syracuse Setup: What Happened to Nahkeen Lewis-Bush

• The Syracuse Setup, Part II: Inside the Paperwork the State Tried to Bury

If you care about wrongful convictions, grand jury transparency, discovery obligations, and prosecutorial accountability, this episode is required listening. Share it with someone who believes facts matter — and leave a review telling us which document or claim you want examined next.

Transcript

Introducing The Case And Stakes

SPEAKER_07 0:08

All right, so I'm about to start. Well, we recorded now, so but um just keep your answers uh move, you know, natural. Uh don't don't extend your answers, like don't elaborate too much. You don't have to overly speak on anything, you know what I'm saying? Don't drag anything out, just uh let it be natural, you know what I'm saying? Alright, bet let's get it. Reporting live from the gunner, it's your boy Elliot Carter here with not from uh Syracuse. What prison you in right now?

SPEAKER_03 0:55

I'm a Sing Sing correctional facility.

SPEAKER_07 0:58

And um what's what's what's going on in Sing Sing? How they treating you in Sing Sing?

SPEAKER_03 1:04

Shh unusual. Why you say that? Last night one of the publishers wasn't had a situation in our host or critical conditions. So like the jelly's being read while we're hostile environment right now, but I'm keeping my head above waters and just staying focused on the law.

SPEAKER_07 1:30

Yeah, definitely. Uh do you know what what happened with the brother from from yesterday, the situation?

SPEAKER_03 1:41

Oh, it was a 10 minutes fight or 703. Eventually he was stabbed multiple times. And it's a 50-50 chance right now. They just said it's not what can go. So I send condolences to his family. He comes through and make it through.

SPEAKER_07 2:00

Yeah, definitely. He's in our prayers. You know, much love to the brother. He's one of the one of the more influential figures from my city, you know what I'm saying? So shout out to him and the and the family. But moving along, let's get into this uh this let's interview this third to set up a conversation with Nakim Lewis Bush. It's not for the same with this for clarity. Today we're talking to a young man serving 40 years for a crime, all the evidence says he didn't commit. The alleged victim says he's not a victim. The code offenders gave sworn after David's clearing him. Nobody was shot, yet he's still in prison. This is a Syracuse setup. Who is Nakeem Lewis Bush? For people who don't know you, who is Nakeem Lewis Bush?

SPEAKER_03 2:54

The people with a little Nakim. Nakeem is the horricular generation kind of a golden heart and kindred spirit and the shadow by the Islamic Arabic. I'm 35 years old and I'm currently incarcerated at Sing Sing Correct facility. I am being illegally detained and wrongfully convicted for a crime that I did not commit.

SPEAKER_07 3:16

Where were you mentally and physically in your life before this case?

SPEAKER_03 3:34

Just trying to figure out life. Mother being raised by my mother, like on state parole. I was gonna rescue mission, salvation her. I was just trying to make life the best of it.

SPEAKER_07 3:52

What did the world misunderstand about you?

SPEAKER_03 4:01

The world has misunderstood that I am a human being. And I'm a man just like any everybody every other person on this earth. I am not evil, I am not a monster, and I'm not a gang member. I never heard anyone in my life, never took into my life. I never ordered anybody to do anything that I never told everyone to be illegal. I never ordered nobody to do nothing. So we'll have misunderstand that I'm just a generous and kind person that just like to help my people.

SPEAKER_07 4:38

Okay. Let's get into the night in question. Walk us through that night from your perspective.

SPEAKER_03 4:48

September 13th, 2017. At the point in time, I was currently on state parole and I was unemployed, so I used to do pickups, self-claim on Snapchat. That day, it was a rainy day. I was short on cash. Like I said, I was living in the rescue mission because my parole officer did not want me to live with my family. And just trying to make my way. At night I was paid to give three young men a ride. That's it. That have no connections to only salt from around the neighborhood. From my perspective, I've done nothing wrong but give some young people a ride that was in the rain.

SPEAKER_06 5:43

Did you ever have a weapon?

SPEAKER_03 5:46

Never had a weapon. At no point in time. Did you charge a crime?

Claims Against Him And Co-Defendant Affidavits

SPEAKER_07 5:55

Did you discharge a weapon at any point? No, I did not. What did the police claim you did that you know is false?

SPEAKER_03 6:10

Ordered three young men allegedly killed air cortees.

SPEAKER_07 6:17

When did you realize the narrative against you was being created?

SPEAKER_03 6:24

From the day that they were arrested me, they put the handcuffs on me.

SPEAKER_07 6:31

Your co-defendants legally admitted responsibility and stated you did nothing. What was your reaction to that?

SPEAKER_03 6:42

Exciting thing for people.

SPEAKER_06 7:13

Did the judge or prosecution ever consider this evidence?

SPEAKER_03 7:19

No.

SPEAKER_06 7:23

Why not?

SPEAKER_02 7:35

Yeah.

Plea Offers And Pressure

SPEAKER_07 7:37

Do you believe the DA intentionally ignored the truth to secure a conviction? Yes. Let's get into the prosecutorial misconduct. Did did they ever offer you any deal? Yes. What deal were you offered?

SPEAKER_03 8:02

I started out at 15 years and it went down to six years of the DM tribe.

SPEAKER_07 8:08

It went down to what? Six years. How much time you have in right now? I have seven years and three months. So when they offered you six, how come you didn't jump on that? Understood. Understood. Were you threatened with higher time if you didn't cooperate? Yes. Did the DA or detectives ever feed statements to the witnesses? No, because they were statements. There was no statements against you, right? No.

SPEAKER_03 9:04

No statements in this case, period.

SPEAKER_07 9:07

Yeah, that's crazy. That's unheard of.

SPEAKER_03 9:16

That the court offenders and alleged victim submitted to the court.

SPEAKER_07 9:22

Yeah, the only statement was from the officer.

Missing Statements And Withheld Evidence

SPEAKER_06 9:26

Yes. Okay. Was any evidence withheld from from your defense?

SPEAKER_07 9:43

Yes. What evidence? Evidence for injury minutes.

SPEAKER_06 9:50

What else?

SPEAKER_07 9:56

A thirty, thirty month speedy trial right. They were violated, right?

SPEAKER_03 10:04

Yes.

SPEAKER_07 10:06

And how were they violated exactly?

SPEAKER_03 10:11

New York State Constitution, you have six months to take somebody to trial once the indictment is announced. Nine months and 24 days have elapsed.

SPEAKER_07 10:24

Yeah. That's crazy. So that's a violation of one of your amendments, I believe the fifth.

SPEAKER_03 10:35

And he did because they changed the theory of the case multiple times.

SPEAKER_07 10:41

How did your lawyer handle that? Did he fight?

SPEAKER_03 10:45

No, we did not.

SPEAKER_06 10:49

What did he do?

Speedy Trial Violations And Defense Failures

SPEAKER_03 10:53

According to Stephen J. Doherty, he actually fought. But he done nothing. How could you prepare for my defense if I don't have a full discovery? How could you fight for my freedom when my codes should no rights acquisitive issue to you? How could you be paying for my freedom when you know I was not indicted at the grand jury?

SPEAKER_07 11:26

Yeah. And how did you end up getting your grand jury minutes?

SPEAKER_03 11:35

Due to my lawyer, Paul Carrie Carilegal, Carissa Leah Pearson.

SPEAKER_07 11:43

And how how did she give them to you? How did how did that come about?

SPEAKER_03 11:51

Well, allegedly at the time of my trial, she was a married woman. So her husband found out and he went to my judge and told my judge and they fired her and got her off the case. She got the case, she got the same jury in from the file cabinet that was inside of my lawyer office. That he got her overthrew.

SPEAKER_07 12:16

What did her husband find out?

SPEAKER_03 12:20

That she was sending for money in the county jail. And that she had a romantic relationship going on so with somebody that was in jail?

Grand Jury Minutes And Legal Irregularities

SPEAKER_07 12:32

Did they did they end up getting a divorce?

SPEAKER_03 12:36

Yes.

SPEAKER_07 12:39

Are you still in contact with her? Sometimes time. Did she does she still work for the same lawyer?

SPEAKER_03 12:54

No. Allegedly, my lawyer, Paul Curry, fired her due to she was stealing money from his law firm, according to him.

SPEAKER_06 13:04

Okay. So what does she do now?

SPEAKER_07 13:09

She works at a home in a home firm. Okay. Cool. Cool. You're serving 40 years. What does a day in your life look like right now?

SPEAKER_03 13:31

Right now, this is the time of my life. It's looking bright. My future is looking bright and clear. Look at Allah bringing me out of the dark and into the light. And taking the pill off my eyes and everything heart.

SPEAKER_07 13:48

What keeps you mentally stable? Educating myself. And how do you keep yourself educated?

Life Inside And Faith As Anchor

SPEAKER_03 14:02

I read nonstop all day. I I make my salah hard times today. I read the project that Allah has passed down for me. And I stay focused on my purpose that why Allah has created me out of play and place me on this earth.

SPEAKER_07 14:24

When your family reached out to me, what was your message for them?

SPEAKER_02 14:33

We finally have someone that's gonna help us, mom.

SPEAKER_03 14:36

To speak the truth.

SPEAKER_07 14:47

What do you want the public to understand about wrongful convictions?

What Wrongful Conviction Really Looks Like

SPEAKER_03 14:58

I want the world to understand that wrongful convictions is not what a lot of people think. Wrongful convictions, majority of the times, have to do with the system breaking the law, violating state and federal rights. People who didn't now commit these crimes. Set yourself free. It's easy to walk up there and so hard to get out of here.

SPEAKER_07 15:33

Yeah, that's a fact. That's a fact. If you could speak directly to the judge, what would you say?

A Direct Appeal To The Judge

SPEAKER_03 15:44

True. I would have made a mistake. I'm not the kid that you thought I was. I'm not a little, I'm not a gangbang. Why would you want to evict me? Why would you send me the justice something I didn't do? How would you break the law when you know the law? And you honor the judge. How would you want these people saying in the face of injustice to serve me? You know how to say these people to do that. What about my family that's at home? You gave me more time and choose. I never hit nobody. And that's right. And I'm the woman. You know Air Force Heads ever went to the grand jury. You know Air Force T was ever coming to trial. You would simply lied to the jurors and misled them. By telling us Air Force T was gonna come and things didn't come. Why wouldn't you come at trial if you didn't go to the grand jury? Told you he's gonna come in jail for two years away for this man and talk. He gave you an apple date, the ones ticket that he never gave you, he still didn't set you free. Why are you avoiding the truth?

SPEAKER_07 17:39

And I think that leads us directly into this next question. What's the number one thing in your case that proves your innocence? The grand jury minute. And why do you say that?

SPEAKER_03 18:00

The grand jury minutes because that's the solid foundation of the case. Without no feet, you can't have no power, you can't have no legs. The grand jury minutes proves my innocence because Eric Ortiz is not no victim. Eric Ortiz never ever said he was a victim. No one ever tried to kill him. So it proves intentionally that they purposely lied at my trial. By telling 12 jurors who don't understand the law that Eric will be here. Eric is gonna testify. But don't explain to them that you're lying.

SPEAKER_07 18:49

So what needs to happen next for you to get home?

Call For Allies And Public Help

SPEAKER_03 18:56

I need the right shed. Elliot got the grand jury minutes. Elliot got the affidavits. I need help from some important powerful people in the world. Because it's not the victim, it's not the code defendants. It's the judge and the head district attorney.

SPEAKER_07 19:16

Yeah. We gotta shed some awareness and get get some powerful players involved. So before we close out this interview, what's your message to the people?

SPEAKER_03 19:33

My message to the people, man. Just want to say I still have a like um little fellows and sisters, and peace and blessings to all the people, the kings and the queens of the country. We misunderstood. A lot of time when y'all turn the TVs on, y'all see the little kids in the neighborhoods, all y'all thinking is evil. We misunderstood. Nobody ever helped us. No one ever came and tried to save us. No one ever came and tells us to understand what our problem is. We listen to the story. We lost we confused our world. That's how clean is the middle crisis. Give us help. Stop killing us. Stop beating us. Stop treating us like slaves. Treat us like human beings. Stop treating us like a dollar bill. We're not papers. We're humans. Everybody deserves a second chance at life. Absolutely. And everybody has to deal with their karma. I dealt with my karma. Anything that I've done before 2017, September 13th, is because I didn't know no better. Today, December 12, 2025, I know better. So I do better. My whole fight in here has been to help the people. I sent 21 people home by myself. I wrote the law by myself and fixed the law. But I'm an animal, I'm a monster. Police have beat me in the hair more than I ever touched anybody in here. I'm just asking for help. I'm just asking, shed light on this case for me, please. Don't want to talk to police. The cold spinners is willing to talk to the world, they don't want to talk to Syracuse police.

SPEAKER_02 21:42

I'm crying out for help.

SPEAKER_03 21:56

I want to go home with my family. To a third of my time. I pay my dues to society, I pay my dues to the game. All I want to do at this point in front of my life is to get back and do the works of God. Do what Allah has put me on this earth to do, to get back to my people and speak to truth and let them put the truth. I don't want to hurt nobody. I want to live in peace.

SPEAKER_02 22:19

I can't live in peace while I'm gonna lock my ears. Like the enemy.

SPEAKER_03 22:57

I want to thank Elliot for taking time on his day. Plus his energy and it helped set me free. Anybody that's stuck with me, thank y'all.

SPEAKER_07 23:32

And this is not for clear for clarity. The evidence is clearly on the table. The affidavits are real. The victor himself is not a victim. The codecendants are clearly clear that code convicted anyway.