SCHENECTADY – A key prosecution witness in a gang-related murder trial grabbed his chest in apparent pain Tuesday and was rushed to a hospital after delivering potentially damning testimony against his nephew.

The witness, Hector Garcia-Melendez, appeared conscious as paramedics transported him out of Schenectady County Court about 12:40 p.m.

County Judge Matthew Sypniewski ordered the courtroom cleared after the witness experienced clear discomfort on the witness stand and asked for a break, holding his chest. His condition was not immediately available.

Garcia-Melendez was wrapping up his testimony on direct examination by Assistant District Attorney Peter Willis, who is prosecuting the trial of the witness' nephew, Hector Abreu, 23, on charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder.

The testimony would likely be stricken if Garcia-Melendez cannot be cross-examined by Abreu's defense attorneys.

Willis told the judge prosecutors expect Garcia-Melendez to continue his testimony at some point.

Abreu, a reputed member of the Latin Kings street gang, is accused of shooting Angel Carrion, 28, in the chest outside 1231 Main St. on June 27, 2014. Prosecutors allege Abreu tried earlier in the night to kill the victim, then succeeded.

Carrion was also linked to the gang, but according to Garcia-Melendez' testimony, he said he withdrew from them.

Garcia-Melendez, who testified through an interpreter, said Abreu and the victim "had a problem."

Garcia-Melendez said on the day of the slaying he saw Abreu load a silver pistol and put it in a backpack. He said he told his nephew not to get involved but that Abreu told him, "I need to find this (expletive)," referring to Carrion.

Testimony of other witnesses was continuing.

Abreu is already serving up to 12 1/2 years in Five Points Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Seneca County, for first-degree assault for a Hamilton Hill shooting.