Maniac charged in FDNY EMT's death stares blankly as brutal knifing is played in NYC court: ‘It's really disturbing'
The maniac accused of ruthlessly knifing a beloved FDNY EMS lieutenant to death did a bizarre stint on the stand at his murder trial Friday — and chillingly showed no emotion when confronted with videos of the horrific, random attack.
Peter Zisopoulos, 36, stared intensely into the gallery in Queens Supreme Court — packed with teary-eyed EMS personnel — as prosecutors played footage of a man knocking over 9/11 first-responder Alison Russo-Elling, getting on top of her and stabbing her 19 times on an Astoria sidewalk.
'It may look like a past picture of mine,' Zisopoulos, seemingly unfazed by the brutal videos, admitted on the stand.
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6 Peter Zisopoulos showed no emotion when video of FDNY Capt. Alison Russo-Elling's murder was played in court.
Michael Nagle
The alleged killer denied being the man in the video, saying the corner where the savage 2022 attack took place looked 'a little bit' familiar.
The video showed the killer enter Zisopoulos' Astoria apartment building, but he replied 'I don't know' when asked if the attacker went into the unit he shared with his mother.
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Trial attendees — who included Russo-Elling's grieving daughter — wept openly as the two graphic videos played.
The courtroom gallery became exasperated, with some rolling their eyes, as Zisopoulos was repeatedly caught in apparent lies during his testimony.
For instance, Zisopoulos — dressed in an orange Department of Correction jumpsuit and sporting black eye-glasses — claimed he was asleep in his apartment when Russo-Elling, 61, was killed while on her lunch break, just a half-block from her stationhouse Sept. 29, 2022.
Prosecutors pointed out that Zisopoulos told The Post in a jailhouse interview a year after the murder that he had been home watching 'Star Wars' and that surveillance video of the attack was 'photoshopped' to frame him.
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6 The video showed a man attack the beloved EMT lieutenant and stab her 19 times.
He'd apparently given police a third version, saying he'd woken up at 8 a.m., eaten breakfast, watched the news and then gone back to sleep, until he was awoken by cops knocking at his door.
'You gave an interview to a New York Post reporter, and you told the New York Post reporter that you were watching Star Wars. So just to be clear, you told the police that you were watching the news, you told a reporter that you were watching 'Star Wars' and you now told all of us that you were just sleeping?' Queens Assistant District Attorney Johnathan Selkowe pressed.
'Those are all three different things.'
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Zisopoulos simply responded: 'Yes.'
The accused killer was also tripped up when he Selkowe asked him how he had sustained a fresh cut on his hand the day of the crime.
6 The court audience was packed with EMTs, who cried when the video was played.
James Messerschmidt
On the stand, Zisopoulos claimed he was knifed by police officers after he refused to open the door for them.
'I didn't answer because I don't trust them. The police are really mean to me,' Zisopoulos said when questioned by his public defender, Gina Mitchell.
'They called SWAT & SWAT stabbed my hand. I tried to cover the peephole and they push the knife through the peephole,' he ranted. 'I bled out and SWAT opened the door.'
6 Russo-Elling was enjoying her lunch break a block from her unit when she was killed.
FDNY
But the prosecutor pointed out that Zisopoulos had told cops his hand was sliced a month earlier, but that the wound had recently reopened.
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Selkowe also pushed Zisopoulos on his reasoning for trying to leave cops waiting in his hallway, getting the alleged killer to admit he had a knife in his pocket at the time.
'You understood that if the police came in, they would find the man with the knife?' the prosecutor asked.
Zisopoulo answered: 'Yes.'
6 Danielle Russo said it was obvious Zisopoulos 'doesn't care' about the crime.
James Messerschmidt
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When asked if it was the same knife used to kill Russo-Elling, rather than one he used to eat breakfast, Zisopoulos could only answer, 'I don't know.'
His lawyers tried to move for the case to be dismissed, saying prosecutors did not provide evidence to prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt, a move that sent shock through the courtroom.
The bid was promptly rejected and court dismissed. Jury deliberations will begin on Monday.
6 Zisopoulous previously told The Post the video was photoshopped so that the blame would be pinned on him.
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'I can't believe this guy has the nerve to deny all of this, when it's clear as day from multiple different angles what occurred,' the victim's daughter, Danielle Russo, told The Post after court. 'It's a real shame that he's walking the earth, and among us.'
She said the weekend break was a welcome one, and expressed hope she would return Monday to see Zisopoulos convicted.
'Hopefully this man never sees the sun outside in the free world ever again,' Russo said.
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'Just can't wait for my family to get justice and this be at rest,' she continued. 'It's pretty difficult to even see him up there and act so nonchalant about such a vicious and savage attack that he just denies and says he was sleeping through. It's unreal.'
Russo added, 'It's actually pretty sad to see the person that he took from us and everything she's done and contributed to the community and everything she did throughout her life — and how someone like this can just not care at all. It's really disturbing.'
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Diddy Tells Courtroom Artist To 'Soften' Him Up In Her Sketches, Claims He Looks Like A 'Koala Bear'
Sean "Diddy" Combs has expressed his dissatisfaction with a courtroom sketch of him during his sex trafficking trial on Thursday. For weeks, the jury has been listening to testimony from Diddy's alleged victims, associates, and witnesses, while the rapper observes from the defense section. During these proceedings, courtroom sketches of Sean "Diddy" Combs are drawn by artists, one of whom reportedly received a subtle nod of approval from Diddy's mother, Janice Combs. On Thursday's hearing of Diddy's sex crimes trial, the rapper made a request to the courtroom sketch artist, Jane Rosenberg, that showed he was displeased with how she had captured him. "Soften me up a bit, you're making me look like a koala bear," Combs said, per the New York Post. The incident reportedly happened while the jury was out for a break, and it is unclear whether Rosenberg issued a response to the music mogul when he made the weird request. Rosenberg is one of the artists who have been covering the rapper's trial since it began in May. Her services, and those of others like her, have been invaluable for documenting the proceedings, as the judge's ruling prohibited the televising of the trial and banned all attendees from taking photos, making recordings, or livestreaming. While Rosenberg got criticized by the embattled rapper, another courtroom sketch artist, Christine Cornell, previously claimed she received a "thumbs-up" from Diddy's mother, Janice Combs, when she drew her during one of the proceedings. "Puffy Combs' mom is sitting behind me, and she tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a thumbs-up," Cornell recalled the scene during her appearance on Dateline's True Crime Weekly podcast, per US Weekly. She added, "She likes the way I'm drawing her son. I said, 'Well, ma'am, do you mind if I draw you?' She, right away, started posing for me." Cornell also claimed that people have been drawn to her sketches, which range between three and six each day of the trial. "You want to have a really accurate drawing that really resembles them, and you want to capture a little bit of the dynamic of the courtroom," the artist further remarked. "For the most part, I get a lot of affirmation." Diddy is being tried on five felony charges, namely racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was initially facing just single counts of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution, but the extra two counts were added in a superseding indictment in April. Last month, Diddy's legal team pushed for a mistrial, arguing that federal prosecutors had crossed a line during their questioning of one of the witnesses. According to the defense, prosecutors unfairly hinted that Combs had a hand in covering up key evidence tied to the arson case involving Kid Cudi's vehicle. However, the motion received a quick shutdown from Judge Arun Subramanian, who said that "absolutely no testimony from the witness was prejudicial in any way, shape, or form." If Diddy is found guilty of all of the charges, he faces the possibility of living the rest of his life in prison. Since the trial began, several witnesses have taken the stand to testify against Diddy. One of the most prominent is his former partner, singer and actress Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura. During her testimony, Cassie spoke extensively about years of alleged abuse by the rapper, including graphic details about the now-infamous "freak-offs," which she claimed she was often forced to participate in without consent. Her mother, Regina Ventura, was also called to testify and supported many of her daughter's allegations. Rapper Kid Cudi, who previously dated Cassie in 2011, also took the stand. He recalled the disturbing incident when his car was firebombed, an event believed to be linked to his brief relationship with Cassie. Other witnesses have included singer Dawn Richard, Cassie's former best friend and roommate Kerry Morgan, and makeup artist Mylah Morales, all of whom spoke about instances of Diddy's allegedly assaulting Cassie. Diddy has reportedly adopted the position of a "quarterback" to his lineup of well-paid attorneys and has seemingly shaken off the early nerves he felt in the courtroom during the trial. According to the Daily Mail, he has been seen passing dozens of sticky notes to his lawyers, intensely questioning them during breaks, and suggesting they bring in different evidence, and has generally used his memories to bolster his lawyers' tactics. "He was there, he remembers exactly what happened: nobody knows more about Diddy's life than he does," a source told the news outlet. "He's very involved and he's on top of things because he knows his life is on the line."
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Diddy trial replay: Jury pool narrows, but selection will have to wait
Editor's note: This page reflects the news from Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial on Wednesday, May 7. For the latest updates from Diddy's trial, read USA TODAY's live coverage for Friday, May 9. Jury selection in Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing sex crimes trial is continuing as prosecutors and the one-time mogul's attorneys face off over the pivotal panel. Lawyers reconvened in Manhattan court on May 7 to continue their interviews of prospective jurors in the high-profile legal proceeding. Jurors have been questioned one by one by Judge Arun Subramanian, the prosecution and the defense to determine their qualifications to serve. By the end of court proceedings on May 7, attorneys had narrowed down the 45 possible jurors needed to move forward in the process. Jurors were repeatedly asked if they, a family member or a friend had been a victim of sexual assault, sexual harassment or domestic violence, and whether they or a loved one had been charged or accused of such crimes. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex crimes charges During his final pretrial hearing on May 2, Combs, 55, confirmed he turned down a potential plea deal in the case. A judge previously rejected a request from the rapper's legal team to delay the start of the trial. Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. The wide pool of potential jurors for Combs' trial has been narrowed to just 45 candidates after several days of intense questioning. Six women and five men were given the green light May 7, after lawyers for either side and the judge interviewed 22 candidates. Their age bracket ranging from mid-20s to early 70s, the group represents a varied cross-section of society, with one juror working as a graphic designer and another in administration at the counterterrorism office of the United Nations. The group who will decide Combs' fate is not yet in final ink, though, and the legal teams will need to return May 9 to select the actual jury ahead of opening statements set for next week Another potential juror was moved into the approved pool after being questioned about their social media habits. Combs' defense referenced a meme that they implied the potential juror may have interacted with on social media, but the juror chalked this up to "doomscrolling" and "mindlessly swiping." When the judge asked the juror if they had seen things while "doomscrolling" that might make them biased against Combs, they said no. The potential juror went to the same high school as Combs, though they graduated 30 years apart. One potential juror, questioned for about 25 minutes, continually sighed and trailed off in his speech. Subramanian noted that the man neglected to fill out all the questions on his juror questionnaire. "I was tired," the potential juror responded. "I was binging the new 'Star Wars' (series) 'Andor.' It just came out." Subramanian laughed at his admission and said, "Will you be able to concentrate or will you be too busy binging 'Andor'?" The potential juror said he would, responding, "Like I said, 'I was binging, I'm just being lazy.'" Although federal prosecutors said the potential juror was "meandering" and were worried about his "own personal discipline" if he was selected for the trial, Subramanian said none of his answers warranted a dismissal. He did, though, call the juror "sleep deprived." Combs' lawyer Agnifilo offered his opinion on the matter by quipping, "I'm very curious to watch what he was binging." One potential juror had an obvious conflict of interest: he was friendly with Subramanian after serving as his co-counsel in several cases, meaning they previously represented clients together. They have known each other for about 10 years. When the potential juror walked in, Subramanian amiably asked him: "What is your opinion of the judge in this case?" The prospective juror responded, "He is fair, he is gregarious and he is brilliant." The prosecutor said she was worried he would have "outsize influence on other jurors" because of his position. He was dismissed. One juror, who was admitted to the pool, said she had seen the footage released by CNN of Combs allegedly assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine, and that she "felt he would be guilty of domestic violence." When the judge reminded her that the charges against Combs in this case are not domestic violence, she said that she would aim "to judge people on what they actually did," and that she would "want to hear the whole story behind the video." As lawyers narrowed in on her ability to be balanced, she raised some eyebrows among journalists by seemingly walking back earlier sentiments. She said she thinks people tend to jump on the bandwagon to say something bad has happened to them – an apparent reference to the onslaught of civil suits Combs has faced in the wake of his federal indictment. The judge overseeing Combs' sex trafficking trial admonished a lawyer close to the hip-hop mogul's defense team for referring to the prosecutors in the case as a "six-pack of white women" in comments on a podcast. The lawyer, Mark Geragos, said in a May 2 episode of "Two Angry Men," a podcast he co-hosts with celebrity news website TMZ's founder Harvey Levin, that the racial and gender composition of the six-member prosecution team was "interesting." Geragos said race may be an "undercurrent" at the trial, but would not be a focus of Combs' defense. "That's something that you shouldn't, that no one should be saying as an officer of the Court and a member of the bar," Subramanian told Geragos in a private conversation in his robing room on May 6 before jury selection resumed, according to a trial transcript. "Referring to the prosecution in this case as a six-pack of white women is outrageous," said the judge, who is of South Asian descent. During his final pretrial hearing on May 2, Combs confirmed he turned down a potential plea deal. It is unclear what the deal consisted of. In addition to questions about a history of sexual assault, jurors were given a list of people and places related to Combs in some ways. The names included Michael B. Jordan, Kid Cudi, Cassie Ventura, Michelle Williams, Mike Myers, Dallas Austin, Lauren London and Dawn Richard. The list, a who's who of Hollywood and music elite, paints a picture of Combs' far-reaching influence in the entertainment industry. For example, Kid Cudi, an Ohio-born rapper who was briefly romantically involved with Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, is likely on the list as a 2023 civil lawsuit from Ventura against Combs accused the hip-hop mogul of threatening to blow up Cudi's car. (Ventura and Kid Cudi briefly dated "during a rough patch" in her relationship with Combs, she said.) Ventura, who is also on the list, alleged in a bombshell lawsuit in 2023 that Combs had trafficked, sexually assaulted and physically abused her during their decade-long relationship. The two "amicably" settled the lawsuit a day after her filing, and Combs' team alluded to a "substantial eight-figure settlement" in court documents for his criminal case. No, Mark Geragos, the famed attorney who has represented prominent people ranging from Michael Jackson to the Menendez brothers, isn't officially part of Combs' legal team. His daughter, Teny Geragos, is serving on Combs' defense. Mark Geragos has been seen in the courtroom since jury selection started earlier in the week. Prosecutors called out his presence in a letter to Subramanian, accusing Combs' defense of trying to consult with the longtime lawyer and saying he should have to abide by the rules set for attorneys in the case if he's working with Combs. Mark Geragos has denied his involvement, saying in a statement to CNN, "I'm here to support my daughter. (Combs) is a friend." Lisa Bloom, an attorney representing two accusers in civil cases against Combs and one in his criminal case, pointed to the number of potential jurors who have told the court they or a loved one are a sexual assault survivor. Jurors have repeatedly been asked about sexual assault and harassment due to the nature of the case against Combs, and almost all have said they have some personal connection to the crimes. "One thing that's made me sad sitting through the jury selection in the court is how many people say they have been the victim of sexual harassment or sexual assault, or somebody close to them has, it's still quite a large number," Bloom told NewsNation's "Banfield." "And if you break it down to the female jurors, even larger." Bloom is representing Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, a prominent Combs collaborator who accused him of physical and sexual abuse in a lawsuit last year. Richard claimed the producer stole her work, withheld payment and subjected her to "inhumane" working conditions, which included assault, groping and false imprisonment, over the course of nearly a decade. Combs' attorney denied the allegations at the time the lawsuit was filed. Cameras aren't allowed in the courtroom where Combs is on trial for sweeping sex crimes charges, but courtroom sketches are available of the one-time mogul. As his trial kicks off, Combs has been depicted with graying hair and often wearing a blue sweater over a white collared shirt. The outfits are intentional: Combs is allowed to have five shirts, five sweaters, five pairs of pants and two sets of lace less shoes to wear in the Manhattan federal courtroom, according to an order signed by Subramanian on April 30. That means he doesn't have to wear a jumpsuit assigned to him in the detention center where he has been held since his arrest last year. How does jury selection work in a case like this? Attorneys on both sides need to approve a group of 45 prospective jurors to ultimately select the 12 final jurors who will sit for the case alongside six alternates. While it looks like they could clear that 45-juror bar on May 7, prosecutors signaled the jury may be selected on May 9. They asked to perform peremptory strikes then, using a tool later in the week that allows lawyers to remove a potential juror without any cause, according to multiple reports. Lawyers don't get unlimited strikes, and they're not allowed in all courts. One person who won't be selected for the jury: A woman who works at HBO who had moved forward in the jury selection process. Combs' lawyers had objected to her being included because the media company recently released a documentary titled "The Fall of Diddy." The judge had denied the request because the potential juror didn't work on the film. But when Combs' lawyers raised the request again, the judge agreed after prosecutors consented. The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings. USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Nicole Westmoreland of Westmoreland Law LLC is the latest lawyer to join Combs' legal team after filing a notice of attorney appearance with the court on May 6. Combs' defense team was already led by attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos. Both are founding partners at Agnifilo Intrater. Geragos is "particularly experienced in defending and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct," according to the firm's website. Brian Steel, who represented Young Thug in the rapper's RICO trial, is also working with Combs, as are attorneys Alexandra Shapiro, Xavier R. Donaldson, Anna Maria Estevao and Jason Driscoll. Combs will argue at his sex trafficking trial that women who took part in his elaborate sex parties did so willingly, but his lawyers will face an uphill battle trying to undermine the credibility of accusers who say the hip-hop mogul forced them to participate. Prosecutors with the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office say that for two decades, he used his business empire to lure women into his orbit with promises of romantic relationships or financial support and then used violence and threats to obligate them to take part in days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers. "The defense has quite the uphill battle ahead," said Heather Cucolo, a New York Law School professor. "There was a clear power dynamic, and that power dynamic is going to be a main focus and a main issue here." Lawyers for Combs have said prosecutors are improperly trying to criminalize a consensual "swingers" lifestyle in which he and his longtime girlfriends sometimes brought a third person into their relationships. Combs is facing federal sex crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling suit that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry. He was arrested in September and has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all five counts. His indictment emerged alongside dozens of separate civil suits suggesting a pattern of abusive behavior and exploitation spanning decades, including accusations of rape, sexual assault and physical violence. Assuming all parties can agree on 45 jurors by the end of the May 7 session, the prosecution and defense will spend May 8-9 preparing for opening statements, which begin May 12. Despite repeated attempts at bail, Combs was ordered to remain in custody at the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center ahead of trial — a ruling his legal team has challenged in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He's been jailed since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. Contributing: Patrick Ryan and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy trial: When will jury selection in Sean Combs' case finalize?
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Female Diddy Fan Forced Out Of Courtroom After Profanity-Laced Rant Amid The Rapper's Trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial saw a brief moment of chaos when an unidentified woman suddenly began shouting wild expletives. Amid the rant, the woman was escorted out of the courtroom by the marshals as Diddy watched on, unfazed. The outburst took place moments before a hotel security guard took the stand to testify about Diddy allegedly offering him a bribe to help hide surveillance footage of the assault on his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura, in 2016. Just as the courtroom was preparing for the first witness on day 15 of Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial, it was rocked by a wild interruption from an unknown woman who was shouting profanities. According to the New York Post, the woman, who is yet to be identified, yelled things like, "Diddy, these motherf-ckers are laughing at you!" She also ranted about the "system," but the disruption was quickly brought under control when the marshals removed her from the courtroom under the judge's orders. The jury was not present during the incident but was brought in shortly afterward to begin the day's hearing. It remains unclear whether the woman was released after being escorted out or detained by authorities. She was apparently able to attend the session because the trial is open to the public, even though it is not being streamed or televised. After the brief chaos, the hearing proceeded in full, with the jury hearing testimony from a security guard, Eddy Garcia, who worked at the hotel where Diddy allegedly assaulted his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016. "He was talking really fast, a lot of stuttering," Garcia said, recalling the initial phone call conversation with Diddy, which was facilitated by his chief of staff, Kristinaina Khorram, per the New York Post. "[Combs] was just saying he had a little too much to drink," he further remarked, adding that the rapper said "it would ruin him" if the assault video "got out." During a second phone call, Diddy asked Garcia to obtain the surveillance footage, promising to "take care of him" in return. Garcia then checked with his supervisor to confirm that he could access the footage, and when he informed Diddy it was possible, the rapper reportedly sounded very excited. Garcia later handed over a storage device containing the footage in exchange for $100,000. He then shared the reward with his boss and another security officer while keeping only $30,000 for himself. According to Garcia, Diddy forced him to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before handing over the money. The NDA included a declaration that there was no other copy of the video and a clause stating that Garcia would be required to pay $1 million if he breached the agreement. After the meeting, Diddy reportedly contacted Garcia again, not long after Easter that year, to confirm that no one knew the footage was missing. "Happy Easter. You are my angel. God is good. God put you in my life for a reason," Diddy reportedly said before asking if "anyone had inquired about the video." Garcia claimed he informed Diddy that no one had asked, to which the rapper replied with "Great" and asked him to provide him with updates if anyone brought it up. According to the Daily Mail, Diddy has adopted the position of a "quarterback" to his lineup of well-paid attorneys and has seemingly shaken off the early nerves he felt in the courtroom during the trial. The rapper has been seen passing sticky notes to his lawyers, intensely questioning them during breaks, and suggesting they bring in additional evidence. He has also reportedly used his memories to bolster his lawyers' tactics. "He was there, he remembers exactly what happened: nobody knows more about Diddy's life than he does," a source told the news outlet. "He's very involved and he's on top of things because he knows his life is on the line." The report is a far cry from what things initially looked like when Diddy's trial first started. During jury selection on May 5, the "I'm Coming Home" rapper notably raised his hand and asked for a bathroom break because he was a "little nervous." The rapper's trial, which began last month, is expected to last around eight weeks. He is facing two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges and reportedly rejected a plea deal ahead of the trial. If convicted of the sex trafficking charges, he could face a minimum sentence of 15 years. For the transportation to engage in prostitution charges, he faces up to 10 years in prison. As for the racketeering charge, he could face life in prison. However, sources have suggested that the rapper may beat the charge as the actions leading to the racketeering count only reflected that of a "crazed, criminal, jealous boyfriend" acting out, per Fox News Digital.
