Lawyers: Father, twin sister of defendant Thomas Liming charged

The father and twin sister of a defendant in the slaying of 18-year-old Kyle Underhill were arraigned this week on charges involving the grand jury investigation into the 2011 homicide, lawyers said.

Keith Liming, 53, of Islip, was charged with first-degree perjury, and his daughter Elaine Liming, 21, was charged with first-degree criminal contempt -- felony accusations based on their grand jury testimony in the case of Thomas Liming, 21, according to their defense attorneys and court records.

Thomas Liming was charged in November with second-degree murder in the death of Underhill, his former classmate and friend.

Authorities said they had evidence the two were together on Nov. 16, 2011, the day Underhill was killed. His body was found three days later in the marshes near his Islip home.

Keith Liming and Elaine Liming pleaded not guilty at their arraignments Monday and were released on their own recognizance.

The Suffolk district attorney's office did not comment Tuesday.

Keith Liming's attorney, David Cohen of Kew Gardens, and the twin sister's attorney, George Duncan of Central Islip, said they don't know why their clients were subpoenaed twice by the grand jury, but added that they testified truthfully.

The twin sister was charged because she had replied "I don't recall" to several questions, amounting to contempt of the grand jury, Duncan said.

"She testified honestly," Duncan said, "and now somebody's accused her of not being truthful on her recollection of events that happened two years ago."

Keith Liming was accused of lying on "one or two questions," Cohen said.

The father was asked, "as you sit here today, do you know" who has certain evidence and where it was, Cohen said.

"He answered no," said Cohen, who declined to say what kind of evidence was being sought.

Both are due back in court March 21.

Prosecutors said Underhill suffered more than a dozen blunt-force wounds to his head and face, as well as multiple fractured ribs and neck compression.