Latest news with #PeterZisopoulos
The Independent
19-05-2025
- The Independent
New York man convicted of fatally stabbing EMS worker as she walked to a store to get food
A New York man was convicted Monday of fatally stabbing a longtime emergency services officer in a 2022 unprovoked attack that took place steps away from her station in Queens. The victim, Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, 61, was ambushed while heading to a corner store in her uniform to get something to eat. One of the first responders to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, she was months away from a planned retirement when she died. Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was convicted on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He's scheduled to be sentenced on June 30 and faces 25 years to life in prison, according to prosecutors. There was no indication Russo-Elling knew Zisopoulos, who fled to his apartment and was arrested after locking himself inside. Zisopoulos' lawyer previously said his client 'has a past psychiatric history going back to 2018.' District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement she hopes the conviction "brings Alison's family, friends and coworkers solace as we continue to grieve her loss." Russo-Elling was posthumously promoted to captain.
San Francisco Chronicle
19-05-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
New York man convicted of fatally stabbing EMS worker as she walked to a store to get food
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York man was convicted Monday of fatally stabbing a longtime emergency services officer in a 2022 unprovoked attack that took place steps away from her station in Queens. The victim, Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, 61, was ambushed while heading to a corner store in her uniform to get something to eat. One of the first responders to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, she was months away from a planned retirement when she died. Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was convicted on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He's scheduled to be sentenced on June 30 and faces 25 years to life in prison, according to prosecutors. There was no indication Russo-Elling knew Zisopoulos, who fled to his apartment and was arrested after locking himself inside. Zisopoulos' lawyer previously said his client 'has a past psychiatric history going back to 2018.'
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Associated Press
New York man convicted of fatally stabbing EMS worker as she walked to a store to get food
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York man was convicted Monday of fatally stabbing a longtime emergency services officer in a 2022 unprovoked attack that took place steps away from her station in Queens. The victim, Lt. Alison Russo-Elling, 61, was ambushed while heading to a corner store in her uniform to get something to eat. One of the first responders to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, she was months away from a planned retirement when she died. Peter Zisopoulos, 37, was convicted on charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He's scheduled to be sentenced on June 30 and faces 25 years to life in prison, according to prosecutors. There was no indication Russo-Elling knew Zisopoulos, who fled to his apartment and was arrested after locking himself inside. Zisopoulos' lawyer previously said his client 'has a past psychiatric history going back to 2018.' District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement she hopes the conviction 'brings Alison's family, friends and coworkers solace as we continue to grieve her loss.' Russo-Elling was posthumously promoted to captain.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- CBS News
Man found guilty of murder in FDNY paramedic Alison Russo's stabbing death
Man accused of murdering FDNY paramedic in 2022 takes stand in trial Man accused of murdering FDNY paramedic in 2022 takes stand in trial Man accused of murdering FDNY paramedic in 2022 takes stand in trial The a man accused of fatally stabbing FDNY paramedic Alison Russo in September 2022 was found guilty Monday. Peter Zisopoulos, 36, was convicted of second degree murder and weapons possession. Zisopoulos had pleaded not guilty and testified in his own defense. Zisopoulos said he was sleeping during brutal attack Russo was stabbed to death while she was on break and went to get food after leaving her Astoria stationhouse. Zisopoulos had testified he never left his home the night of the killing. He said he was asleep until police came to knock on his door. At the time of his arrest, he allegedly had a bloody kitchen knife in his pocket. Arresting officers believed it was the murder weapon. Doctors had previously declared Zisopoulos unfit for trial Two doctors had previously deemed Zisopoulos psychologically unfit to stand trial. Russo, 61, was a 25-year FDNY veteran and a 9/11 first responder. She was posthumously promoted to captain, and left behind a daughter, her parents and a younger brother.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Man accused of fatally stabbing FDNY paramedic takes stand in own trial
The man accused of stabbing FDNY paramedic Alison Russo to death in September 2022 took the stand Friday during his trial. Peter Zisopoulos, 36, is charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty. Zisopoulos claims he was sleeping in apartment during brutal attack In front of a courtroom packed with first responders, the defense called Zisopoulos to the stand. At the time of his arrest, Zisopoulos allegedly had a kitchen knife covered in blood in his pocket, which arresting officers believed was the murder weapon. Zisopoulos has maintained he never left home, previously telling police he was watching the news when Russo was stabbed to death while on a break and walking from the Astoria stationhouse to get food. Friday on the stand, however, Zisopoulos said he was asleep until police began knocking on his door. "I didn't answer. I don't trust them," he said. In cross-examination, Zisopoulos was shown video from multiple angles of the attack. He admitted he recognized the block as the one right outside his apartment, but when prosecutors asked if he was the man in the video, he said no. "It may look like me, but in an old photo," Zisopoulos said. Suspect admits to having bloody knife in pocket The trend continued between Zisopoulos and the prosecutor; the defendant would admit to some incriminating details, but not the crime. When asked if the knife he admitted to having in his pocket that day was used to kill Russo, Zisopoulos said, "I don't think so." He also said the blood in his apartment was from his sister's bloody nose. "You did everything in your power to keep police from entering?" Queens Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe asked. "Yes," Zisopoulos said. "Because you knew that if police came in, they would find the person with the knife?" Selkowe asked. "Yes," Zisopoulos said. Prosecutors then rested their case. The judge dismissed the jury after the testimony as both sides rested their cases. Closing arguments will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, followed by jury deliberations. "It's pretty difficult to even see him up there and act so nonchalant" Two doctors had previously deemed Zisopoulos psychologically unfit to stand trial, and he is said to have denied using an insanity defense. "It's just a real shame that he's walking the earth and among us," Russo's daughter, Danielle Fuoco, said. "It's pretty difficult to even see him up there and act so nonchalant about such a vicious and savage attack." Law professor Anna Cominsky says the challenge for the prosecutors, and now the jury, has been the issue of intent. "The jury will ultimately make the determination about whether or not there are facts which show them, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he intended the actions that he took," Cominsky said. Russo, 61, was a 25-year FDNY veteran and a 9/11 first responder. She was posthumously promoted to captain, and left behind a daughter, her parents and a younger brother.
